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Glite Dictionary
storm sewer

storm sewer

1 3.9
An underground drain that carries rain and surface water from streets and roofs, not waste water
  • noun
  • /stɔrm ˈsuːər/
  • US
translation icon : drenaje de tormenta
  • When temperatures are above freezing, we can expect to see increases in the likelihood of deluges that may overwhelm storm sewers and cause localized flooding.

Examples

  • The older suburb of Dean Run consists of ranch houses on acre lots with separated sanitary and storm sewers.

    Blog text (22)

  • Because of the health threat from contact with this contaminated water, residents are prohibited from applying graywater above the land surface or discharging it directly into storm sewers.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Particularly in large cities, once water has disappeared down the drain or into a storm sewer, it is rarely thought of again.

    Academic text (2007)

  • If designed for detention only, the system can hold stormwater for controlled release until surface streams or city storm sewer systems can handle the flow.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Money from a monthly fee paid by all property owners will be used to finance a new storm sewer that will serve 22 homes on 10th Avenue North, following a decision by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday.

    Blog text (20)

  • The canals and pipes built principally to upgrade the discharge capacity of the storm sewer system may not be able to handle increased flows.

    Blog text (4)

  • Sewer separation consists of the installation of a separate storm sewer to carry stormwater runoff.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Rainwater overflow, for instance, can be channeled into wetland systems instead of into storm sewers.

    Academic text (2007)

  • The township trustees Monday night granted permission for Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) representatives to evaluate and videotape the operation of the storm sewers in Damascus at no cost.

    Blog text (18)

  • In many cities, rainwater is drained away through storm sewers to prevent flooding on the streets.

Synonyms

drain
vsstorm sewer
122 1.0

A pipe or channel that carries away waste water from a place

is an underground network for rain and surface water from streets and roofs
storm drain
vsstorm sewer
18 3.0

A pipe under the street that carries away rainwater

includes runoff from roofs and other surfaces as well as paved areas
drainage system
vsstorm sewer
3 3.5

A network of pipes and ditches that removes extra water from land

is specifically underground and built to carry off rain and surface water
drain system
vsstorm sewer
1 3.2

Pipes and channels that carry away extra water from an area

is buried underground and focuses on carrying off rain and surface water
stormwater drain
vsstorm sewer
  • Specialized
2.7

A pipe or channel that carries rainwater away from streets and buildings

is an underground network rather than a single pipe or channel

Surface Forms

storm sewer singular
storm sewers plural

Morphology

storm + sewer

The meaning of 'storm sewer' is directly compositional: 'storm' (rain/storm) + 'sewer' (underground drain/pipe) yields a drain specifically for stormwater. This is a regular compound pattern and a B1 learner who knows both constituents can reasonably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The name storm sewer comes from the simple image of storm meaning 'heavy rain' and sewer meaning 'a drain for water'. Cities put pipes under streets to carry rain away during storms, so a storm sewer is the underground system that prevents 'flooding'.