Petersburg Citywide Drainage Study

The City of Petersburg is working with a team to conduct a study that explores drainage in the city. The team is actively mapping the city’s storm sewer system and modeling its capacity to manage stormwater. Following the completion of the study, the city will create a plan that addresses drainage issues and improves the system. 

Why conduct a study?

When it rains, some areas of Petersburg experience localized flooding. Petersburg was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund to facilitate a comprehensive study to map and model the existing storm sewer system. Data collected during the study will be used by the city’s Stormwater Management Program to improve drainage and reduce localized flooding.

What is the process?

The Citywide Drainage Study consists of two primary tasks: mapping the existing storm sewer system and modeling the existing capacity of the system. Throughout 2023 and 2024, crews will attempt to locate and measure all storm sewer infrastructure assets in the city, including assets located in privately owned properties. Data collection will occur on a watershed-by-watershed basis and engineers will use compiled data to analyze the capacity of storm sewer systems.