Relating Stormwater Drainage to Sewer Backups

Extreme Wet Weather in Brookfield How to Keep Your Basement Dry During Heavy Rains and Floods Relating Stormwater Drainage to Sewer Backups Brookfield has two separate sewer systems Storm sewer system – to convey rainfall runoff Sanitary sewer system – to convey wastewater from houses, businesses and industry During rain events, some rainfall runoff can enter into the sanitary sewer system This overloads the sanitary sewer causing basement backups Overloaded private laterals can backup into homes Overloaded public sewers can backup into homes Relating Stormwater Drainage to Sewer Backups If the two sewer systems are separate, how does stormwater get into the sanitary sewer? Inflow Rainfall runoff gets into the sanitary sewer directly Infiltration Rainfall runoff gets into the sanitary sewer as it infiltrates into the ground Together these are called I/I What are sources of I/I? I/I on the public side of the sewer system Leaking sanitary sewer mains Leaking sanitary sewer manholes Cross connections with storm sewer (inlets inadvertently connected to the sanitary sewer) Someone opens a sanitary sewer manhole cover to drain a flooded street The City has made improvements to the public infrastructure and implemented policies and procedures to address these sources of I/I What are sources of I/I? I/I on the private side of the sewer system Leaking laterals to private property Leaking sewer cleanouts in yards Illegal connections to the sanitary sewer Downspouts Sump pumps Yard drains Failed sump pumps, leaking basement walls, or rain water entering the floor drain The City needs property owners to assist removing I/I on the private side of the system What has the City Done to Address the I/I Problem Constructed new sewers to increase capacity of sanitary sewers and storm sewers Repaired leaking sewers and manholes Implemented new stormwater policies and programs to improve the ability for the City to handle severe wet weather Improvements reduce frequency and severity of flooding and basement backups, they do not eliminate them However, there is no guarantee that a larger storm is not on the horizon, so no guarantee that there will not be flooding or basement backups When will the City be Done? Never Constant maintenance is required to repair existing and aging infrastructure Continuously monitor new development and redevelopment for stormwater issues Education is continuous as each property impacts the sewer system & other properties City will continue to implement new technologies for constant improvements More yet to do Despite our successes, there were still areas impacted by the most recent flood City will continue to implement infrastructure improvements Maintenance of existing infrastructure is on-going Adherence to policies and programs will continue also Property owners can also help themselves What Can a Property Owner Do? Improve drainage around your property and away from your house – remember, water runs downhill Ensure you have a way of conveying water from your basement if it gets there Keep drainage ways clear Install basement backup protection devices Keep Water Away From the House Grade yard away from the house or install a swale to convey water away from house Raise window wells – consider covers Install clay fill around foundation – soil settles with time and needs to be replaced Mudjack or replace all settled patios, driveways and sidewalks Repair foundation drain tile, basement walls and basement floor if cracked Keep Water Away From the House Clean gutters and downspouts regularly Extend downspouts away from the house Discharge downspouts overland and not to a ditch or storm sewer Discharge sump pump hose away from the house and your neighbor’s house Allow WE Energies to cut / trim trees near power lines to minimize power outages Get Water Out of the Basement Ensure sump pump(s) is large enough to handle flow coming into the crock Properly size fuses or circuit breakers to handle the size of your sump pump(s) Check sump pump operation regularly Consider installing a battery backup for your sump pump during power outages Consider having a spare sump pump on hand in case the existing one fails Get Water Out of the Basement Do not allow stormwater drainage to go down floor drain – it overloads the sewer Do not bail sump crock into floor drain or laundry tub – it overloads the sewer Instead pump excess water out a window well or other opening to grade with your “extra” sump pump, or haul water upstairs and dump outside Keep Drainage Ways Clear If there is a ditch enclosure in your yard, consider requesting the City to remove it A ditch enclosure is a former ditch with a pipe in it and covered over with soil Remove existing and do not install structures, fences, or landscaping in drainage easements or drainage ways Keep floatable materials (firewood, mulch) out of drainage ways – they plug drains Clear debris from plugged inlets if they plug only if you can do so safely – otherwise call the City Basement Backup Protection Add a water sensing alarm in your basement which sounds an alarm when it detects water on the floor Consider installing a backwater valve in your sewer lateral Consider installing hung plumbing with a sealed crock to pump wastewater from basement fixtures and floor drain Repair leaks/remove roots in sewer lateral How to Keep your Basement Dry Summary Extreme wet weather events are likely to occur again The City will continue to improve infrastructure and implement policies and programs to minimize the impact and severity of flooding and basement backups Property owners can and should also take steps to protect their property from flooding and basement backups Questions? For questions about how to improve drainage around your house or to determine if you have an illegal sewer connection: Contact City Engineering at (262) 787-3919 For questions about floodplains: Contact Planning at (262) 796-6695 For requests for re-ditching: Contact Highway Division at (262) 782-5029 To report a basement backup: Contact the Treatment Plant at (262) 782-0199.

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