Keep Water Out of the Sewer System Keep Water Out of the Sewer System

The sanitary sewer system that is How to Disconnect Your Downspout Disconnect Your Sump Pump connected to your home or business is Typically, a sump pump is an appliance in 4. Re-route your sump pump discharge designed to carry wastewater that goes STEP 1: your basement that pumps groundwater line away from your foundation onto down drains inside your house or Measure approximately 9 inches from out from around your home's foundation. the yard, into a garden, or better yet, business to a Water Protection Facility. where the downspout enters the sewer Some sump pumps can also be used to a rain garden on your property. Sometimes, though, stormwater gets connection. Cut the downspout with a drain washing machines and/or sink into the sanitary sewer system which hacksaw. If your sump pump is directly wired drains in the basement. These types of causes the sewer system to fill up rather than using a plug and an outlet, STEP 2: sump pumps should be connected to the with too much water and may cause please contact a licensed and bonded residential sanitary sewer system and are basement back-ups. You can help by Cap the sewer standpipe. This prevents electrician to disconnect your sump not the focus of this flyer. reducing water that doesn’t belong in water from going in. In most cases, you pump. If your sump pump is directly the sanitary sewer system. should be able to use a simple rubber cap However, sump pumps used to pump connected to a sanitary sewer pipe, secured by a hose clamp. You can also use groundwater from around your home's please contact a licensed and bonded Disconnect from the Sewer System a wing-nut test plug if available cap sizes foundation should not be connected to plumber to disconnect your sump don’t fit. the sanitary sewer system. These sump pump. You should also be mindful of Do your downspouts empty onto your pumps should pump groundwater directly your neighbor’s properties and avoid yard or go underground? If they run STEP 3: out into your yard and away from your directing your discharge pipe toward underground, your downspouts may be Insert the downspout INTO the elbow foundation. Pumping the water on your their property. connected to the house lateral line, which (if you put the elbow into the downspout, yard prevents excessive stormwater from is connected to the sanitary sewer system. it will leak) and secure with sheet metal entering the sewer system and being To help keep this excess water out of screws. You may need to crimp the end treated at the Water Protection Facility. the city’s sewer system, you should of the downspout with a pair of pliers to disconnect your downspouts. Groundwater sump pumps that are get a good fit. We’re talking about a lot of water! During improperly connected to the sanitary a heavy storm, each downspout on your STEP 4: sewer system should be disconnected from the sanitary sewer system. To home can deliver 12 gallons of rainwater Attach a downspout pipe extension to disconnect your groundwater sump per minute to the sanitary sewer system carry water away from the house and pump from the sanitary sewer system, if it’s connected. Property owners should foundation. Be sure to insert the elbow you should: disconnect all downspouts, sump pumps, into the extension to prevent leaks and and area drains from the house lateral secure with sheet metal screws. Place a 1. Unplug your sump pump from its outlet. that may be connected to the sanitary splash block at the end of the downspout 2. Remove the old pipe from discharging sewer system. extension to prevent erosion where the into the floor drain. water drains. The new downspout pipe This sheet contains general principles only, which may not 3. Seal off the old connection to the be appropriate or safe for every property. Use good common can also be directed into a rain barrel or sanitary sewer promptly to prevent sense. The city of St. Joseph is not responsible for your a rain modifications and disclaims liability for your actions. garden. sewer gas from entering your home.