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1. Can I have drain pipes put in front of my house?

As of July 1, 2008, the Drainage Maintenance Division no longer installs pipe in residential ditches. The homeowner may purchase the pipe themselves and have it installed by a contractor of their choice. Residents need to obtain a right-of-way permit by contacting the Central Permit Office at (757) 728-2444 before beginning the work. Central Permit Office

2. Can I rake my leaves into the front, side, or back ditch in the fall?

No, raking leaves into the ditches or curb drop inlets (CDIs) in the street is a major cause of flooding during rain storms. Blocked ditches will cause flooding that can threaten your home and property. Put your leaves in clear plastic bags and at the curb for collection with your other solid waste.

3. Does Hampton have the leaf vacuum system like some other cities?

No, we only take leaves that are in clear bags for collection. The vacuum system is very costly in machinery and maintenance.

4. Who cleans the ditches that run alongside of houses or behind them?

The front ditch is also cleaned once a year by city drainage crews and large debris is removed when needed to keep them open. The city's Parks Department is responsible for grass cutting and litter removal from the front ditches in the city. Parks Department

5. How can I obtain a copy of the city's Outfall Ditch Maintenance Schedule?

View the city's Tentative Major Outfall Ditch Maintenance Schedule. Tentative Major Outfall Ditch Maintenance Schedule

6. How can I reach your 3-1-1 Customer Call Center?

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the city of Hampton, please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

7. What are retention ponds and how do they work in the drainage system?

Retention ponds act as a storage facility for excess storm water in the system. They fill and drain naturally and are a more recent addition to our drainage system.

8. Who cleans ditches on private property?

Those ditches are the responsibility of the individual property owner to clean and maintain as needed.

9. Who cleans the ditch that runs in front of my house along the street?

The front ditch is also cleaned once a year by city drainage crews and large debris is removed when needed to keep them open. The city's Parks Department is responsible for grass cutting and litter removal from the front ditches in the city. Parks Department

10. Who has the responsibility for cleaning these retention ponds?

The city owns the retention ponds at Teach Street and Buckroe Avenue at Old Buckroe Road, and is responsible for their cleaning and maintenance. All other retention ponds are the responsibility of their local neighborhood association to clean and maintain.

11. Who is responsible for cleaning the big ditches in my neighborhood?

If the ditches are part of the public drainage system, the city will clean them once a year or as needed when debris blocks them.

12. Whom should I call to report illegal debris dumping, ditch overflow, dead animals in ditches, or request ditch or paved drainage area cleaning?

Call the 3-1-1 Customer Call Center. If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton, please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week to assist you.

13. Why can't I dump trash, chemicals, oil, or other things in drainage ditches?

Not only is it illegal, but these ditches drain directly into the Chesapeake Bay so dumping affects the entire region. Trash and debris in ditches can lead to flooding in times of heavy rain.