Letter to the editor: Government should manage water runoff

Regarding the articles “Storm water strategies to be shared in Latrobe” (April 11, TribLIVE) and “Public hearing scheduled to discuss flood plan for Westmoreland County” (April 14, TribLIVE), about controlling rainwater runoff: It doesn’t matter what local paper I read, the suggestions from experts from various organizations are all the same: plant rain gardens, install rain barrels, and replace solid paved walkways, patios and driveways with permeable materials.

Local officials are in charge of communities’ safety, but they rarely explain their plans for water runoff.

It isn’t the residents’ fault; why should people alter their landscapes for a heavy rainstorm or two, especially when the local government has the responsibility of keeping storm drains and sewers clear along the streets?

We rarely hear about their plans or see them clearing out leaves, twigs and other road debris. If local governments would maintain the main catch basins, we citizens would have less to worry about and less landscape changes. Residents may have to give up some public perks, but they should have their patios, driveways and walkways the way they like them instead of bowing to a couple of heavy rainstorms that officials are not willing to prepare for.

Peg Bittner

South Park