Resident stormwater recommendations
5/29/2009 8:06:00 AM

Summary :
There are things you can do around the house to help prevent stormwater runoff from entering your home. See story.

Additional Information :
The purpose of the project is to eliminate the pumping of the sanitary sewers into Beargrass Creek. The pumps are used to help prevent basement back-ups. We intend to eliminate the pumps by preventing groundwater and storm water from entering the sanitary sewer system. This will be done by the following:

1. Separating sources of groundwater/stormwater within the house:
- sump pumps currently connected to the sanitary sewer will be modified to
discharge to the street curb, and
- below slab sanitary lines must be replaced or determined to be watertight.

2. Replacing and raising the service line from the house to the sanitary sewer main with a watertight line, and

3. Relining the existing mains and manholes.

In addition to the elimination of clear water from entering the sewer system, raising the sewer service connection will add an additional level of protection to reduce the risk of sewers backing up into anyone?s basement. Sewer service connections are being installed to exit the house at least two feet above the basement floor. All sanitary facilities in the basement will be directed to a sewage ejector pump that will discharge to the new sewer service connection. This will not impact gravity flow from first or second floor plumbing. First and second floor plumbing will flow by gravity to the new sewer service line. Only basement level facilities will require backup power to function during a power failure.

When all the above is completed, the MSD pumps located throughout the neighborhood during rain events can be eliminated. Eliminating the pumping of sewage into surface waters without creating sewer backups is the foremost goal of this project. It is part of the EPA consent decree and it is in the interest of public health to convey sanitary wastewater to a treatment plant for treatment rather than discharging untreated sewage to a creek or ditch.

In addition to MSD?s efforts to make corrections to the sanitary sewer system, home owners may need to take steps to address clear water from roof drains, sump pumps, and foundation drains. Many of these steps are common practice in most homes with basements. The emphasis of the following recommendations is to provide conditions that promote surface/storm water to drain away from your house and foundation:

- Make sure the sump pump outlet discharges several feet away from the foundation wall and in an area that it will surface flow to front or rear drainage.
- Divert roof downspouts away from the house/foundation. Use flexible pipe connected to each downspout to convey roof runoff some distance from the house/foundation.
- Make sure all grading around the house promotes surface water runoff away from the house.
- Repair cracks in basement walls and floors.
- Seal around basement windows or other openings.

Allowing surface water to flow toward the foundation wall invites basement flooding. We may offer other suggestions unique to your home while we are making your plumbing modifications. We will be happy to assist you identify possible solutions

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