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How Property Owners Can Help

  1. Gutters.  Inspect the gutters on your home or business to see if the  downspout(s) connect to a sanitary sewer line. If the gutters are connected,  have them disconnected. The runoff water from the roof can contribute to  storm sewer overflow.

    If your gutters are clogged with leaves or debris, clear it out. This can prevent  a significant amount of run-off from entering the sanitary sewer system.

  2. Sump Pumps.  Sump pump systems are designed to capture surface or ground water that enters basements or crawl spaces and pump it away from the house. Make sure the basement sump pump does not connect to your sewage drain pipes, or to a sink or floor drain in your basement. The water from these pumps can overload the sanitary sewer causing an overflow of raw sewage into a street, stream, or someone else’s basement. 

    If you have a sump pump, make sure the discharge is directed outside your  house and NOT into the sanitary sewer system. That’s called a cross connection,  and is a leading cause of Inflow & Infiltration. 

  3. Grease Disposal. Avoid pouring grease down your sink. When the grease cools in the sewer line it can form clogs and blockages, which then can cause the sanitary sewer to overflow or back up in buildings. Grease can also contribute to restricted flow in your home plumbing and service laterals, which can result in costly repairs.

  4. Trees & Shrubs.  Avoid planting trees and shrubs above or near the service  lateral that runs from your home to the street. Roots can grow into the pipes and clog  sewers, causing them to back up and overflow.

  5. Disposable Wipes.  Do not flush disposable wipes down the toilet or drain,  even if the labeling says they are “flushable”.

  6. Routine Cleaning.  If you’ve had a history of backups, a routine sewer cleaning is recommended.  In any case, a sewer check-up once every two years doesn’t hurt.

  7. Maintain your property.  You can also help by maintaining healthy lawns and  not leaving debris or possible pollutants on lawns, driveways, or streets.