Drainage and Flooding

DPIE’s Drainage Defects Complaint Program

DPIE’s Drainage Defects Complaint Program is for new homes, pursuant to Section § 1-1313 of the Maryland Annotated Code:

To evaluate complaints of drainage defects, please click here to complete the Drainage Complaint Form and email to dpiedrainage@co.pg.md.us.

For questions, call 301-636-2060.

Drainage issue on homeowner's property, photo of ponding on side of the house by fence
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100 Year Stormwater Management Control Map

100-Year Stormwater Management Control Map of Prince George's County, Maryland, Watersheds

View the new "100 Year Stormwater Management Control Map, Prince George's County, Maryland, Watersheds."  The map includes the MDE 12-Digit Watershed numbers, the County Watershed numbers, and whether or not a 100-Year Stormwater Management is required. The listings are for both the Potomac and the Patuxent River Basins.



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Drainage and Flooding in Prince George's County

DPIE recently collaborated with the Department of the Environment (DoE) and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) on “Drainage and Flooding in Prince George’s County,” a comprehensive report that outlines issues, investigation methodologies, possible resolutions and more.

Drainage and Flooding
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Residential Drainage - A Homeowner's Guide to Drainage, drwg of house with person cleaning gutter

Residential Drainage:  A Homeowner's Guide to Drainage Problems and Solutions

The Residential Drainage Manual by the Department of the Environment (DoE) covers basement flooding problems, waterproofing & drainage systems, sump pumps, wet yards, grading around the house and erosion problems. The manual also lists helpful hints when moving to a new home, advice on septic systems, and commonly asked questions. The appendices include a helpful drainage maintenance checklist and a vegetative ground cover guide.

For more information, view Residential Drainage: A Homeowner's Guide to Drainage Problems and Solutions.

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Improperly Installed Fences May Cause Drainage Problems and Flooding!

Every time it rains, many homeowners experience drainage issues on their properties. Some of these drainage complaints result from improperly installed fences. An improperly installed fence can block storm flows — runoff from storm precipitation — and cause water to pond in your yard or your neighbor’s yard. Blocked water can damage fences, draw mosquitoes and hasten lawn erosion.

Fences must be installed with storm flows in mind to ensure fences don’t block stormwater flows!

For more information, view the Drainage flyer.

Improperly Installed Fences May Cause Drainage Problems and Flooding!
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Drainage problems can cause indoor flooding. pic of flooded basement

Program Addresses Drainage Defects in Newer Homes

DPIE has enhanced its process to address drainage complaints from owners of homes that are five years old or less and whose fine grading permits are still open. The Drainage Defects Complaint Program, which was implemented in October 2020, created enhanced enforcement options to hold builders, developers and engineers associated with new home construction accountable for mistakes related to construction and grading that affect drainage from storm water.

Read more here. . .