Standing water in your backyard? Persistent wet spots on your lawn? Rainwater collecting near your foundation or entering your basement? These are common signs that your property may need a properly designed drainage system.
CT Stormwater Authority LLC provides drainage installation and stormwater management services throughout Greenwich, Riverside, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, Glenville, Byram, Belle Haven, and backcountry Greenwich.
Our services include French drain installation, dry wells, CULTEC stormwater chambers, underground drainage piping, yard drains, catch basins, CCTV drain inspections, and drainage system maintenance.
What is the best drainage solution for a Greenwich property? The right solution depends on where the water originates, the property's grading, soil infiltration, groundwater conditions, and available discharge options. French drains, catch basins, and dry wells each serve different purposes.
Professional Drainage Installation in Greenwich, CT
A drainage system should do more than move water from one part of a property to another. It should collect and manage excess water without creating additional flooding or erosion problems.
Residential drainage installation may involve underground piping, perforated drains, surface collection points, dry wells, stormwater chambers, and grading improvements. The appropriate design depends on the property's conditions.
French Drain Installation in Greenwich, Riverside & Cos Cob
French drains are designed to collect subsurface water and direct it toward an appropriate outlet or collection system. They are commonly installed where saturated soil and groundwater create persistent wet conditions.
A typical French drain uses a gravel-filled trench with perforated drainage pipe. Water enters the pipe through openings and travels through the system. Proper depth, slope, filter materials, and discharge design are essential.
When might a French drain help?
- Recurring wet areas across a lawn
- Groundwater collecting near foundations
- Saturated soil along retaining walls
- Drainage issues on sloped properties
- Waterlogged landscaping after storms
Homeowners in Riverside, Cos Cob, and Old Greenwich should have site conditions evaluated before choosing a drainage installation. Not every standing-water problem requires a French drain.

Dry Well Installation & CULTEC Stormwater Systems
Dry wells and underground stormwater chambers help manage runoff collected from roofs, paved areas, catch basins, and other drainage systems.
A dry well generally stores collected water temporarily and allows it to infiltrate into surrounding soil where conditions are suitable.
CULTEC stormwater chambers provide engineered underground storage and infiltration capacity. These systems may be used in residential drainage applications when supported by appropriate site conditions and design.
When is a CULTEC system appropriate?
A CULTEC chamber system may be considered when a property needs underground stormwater storage, roof runoff management, or an engineered infiltration system.
Soil permeability, groundwater levels, available space, and municipal requirements must be evaluated before installation. Some properties may require a different approach to stormwater management.
Yard Flooding & Standing Water in Greenwich, CT
Yard flooding is often caused by a combination of surface runoff, poor grading, compacted soil, concentrated downspout discharge, or blocked underground drains.
Water may collect near patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, or low points in a lawn. Persistent standing water can affect landscaping and make outdoor spaces difficult to use.
Common causes of yard flooding
- Improper lawn grading or low areas
- Roof runoff discharged too close to the home
- Clogged or damaged underground drains
- Compacted or poorly draining soil
- Insufficient surface drainage
- Runoff flowing downhill across the property
Depending on the cause, solutions may include yard drains, catch basins, French drains, underground piping, grading improvements, or dry wells.
Drainage Solutions in Riverside & Old Greenwich
Riverside and Old Greenwich homeowners may encounter drainage challenges related to groundwater, limited available space, property elevations, and existing underground drainage systems.
Some properties require surface drains to collect water from lawns and paved areas. Others may benefit from underground drainage repairs or stormwater storage systems.
Near coastal areas, groundwater conditions can influence whether infiltration-based drainage is appropriate. Site-specific evaluation is important.
Drainage Installation in Cos Cob, Glenville & Byram
Properties in Cos Cob, Glenville, and Byram can experience drainage problems associated with slopes, surface runoff, concentrated roof drainage, and aging underground piping.
On sloped properties, rainfall may travel quickly toward lower sections of the yard, driveways, or foundations. Catch basins and underground drainage piping can help collect runoff at suitable locations.
The correct installation depends on the water source, property layout, existing utilities, and lawful discharge options.
Basement Flooding & Foundation Drainage
Water accumulating around a home's foundation can contribute to basement moisture and flooding.
Common contributing factors include poor grading, saturated soil, blocked drainage systems, and improperly directed roof runoff.
Potential solutions may include foundation drainage improvements, exterior runoff collection, underground drain repairs, and sump pump systems.
CCTV Drain Inspections, Hydro-Jetting & Catch Basins
Sometimes an existing drainage system is already installed but no longer works as intended.
CCTV camera inspections can help locate blockages, root intrusion, damaged piping, and other problems inside accessible underground drains.
Hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to clean certain types of buildup from suitable piping.
Catch basins collect surface runoff and direct it into drainage piping. They should be inspected and cleaned as needed to prevent sediment and debris from restricting water flow.

How Much Does Drainage Installation Cost in Greenwich?
Drainage installation costs depend on the project's size, complexity, excavation depth, soil conditions, equipment access, and materials.
A short underground drain repair may require substantially less work than a complete drainage system with multiple catch basins, dry wells, and CULTEC chambers.
Site conditions, engineering, permitting, and restoration requirements may also affect costs. An on-site assessment provides a more reliable basis for estimating the work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenwich Drainage
What is the best drainage solution for a wet backyard?
The best solution depends on the source of water, soil conditions, grading, and discharge options. Surface drains, French drains, and dry wells address different drainage problems.
Are French drains effective in Greenwich, CT?
French drains can be effective for collecting subsurface water when properly designed for the property's soil, groundwater, and discharge conditions.
What is the difference between a French drain and a dry well?
A French drain collects and redirects subsurface water. A dry well collects water and allows it to infiltrate into suitable surrounding soil.
Can CULTEC systems be installed on residential properties?
Yes. CULTEC chambers can be used for residential stormwater management where soil conditions, system design, and applicable requirements support installation.
Why does my Greenwich yard flood after heavy rain?
Common causes include poor grading, concentrated roof runoff, compacted soil, blocked drains, and insufficient surface drainage.
Do drainage installations in Greenwich require permits?
Permit and approval requirements depend on the property and the scope of work. Excavation, grading, stormwater discharge, and regulated wetlands may trigger additional review. Confirm requirements with the appropriate town departments.
Greenwich Neighborhoods We Serve
CT Stormwater Authority provides drainage services throughout Greenwich and its surrounding neighborhoods, including Riverside, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, Glenville, Byram, Belle Haven, Pemberwick, and backcountry Greenwich.
Our drainage services include French drain installation, dry wells, CULTEC systems, yard drainage, catch basin services, CCTV inspections, and underground drain maintenance.
Need Drainage Installation in Greenwich, CT?
Experiencing standing water, yard flooding, basement moisture, or an underground drainage problem? Contact CT Stormwater Authority to discuss your property and available drainage solutions.
CT Stormwater Authority LLC
Greenwich, Riverside, Cos Cob,
Old Greenwich & surrounding communities.

