Sump Pump Elimination

01/25/2004

SUMP PUMP ELIMINATION PROGRAM 2004-2005

In December of 2004 a sump pump discharge inspection program was begun on the northwest part of Clintonville. This program was initiated because the Lift Station on Fairway Drive was pumping large amounts of clear water. This was determined by keeping track of pumping hours. In wet weather the pumps would run up to three times more than in dry weather. Pumping excess clear water is a waste of costly electricity, makes pumps work more than they should, and uses capacity in the sanitary sewer system that could be used for future growth.

Clear water comes from several sources. The most significant source is from sump pumps that are hooked directly to the sanitary sewer system. Other sources include building drains and cracked and broken pipes.

This program was intended to only address the issue of sump pumps discharging to the sanitary sewer system. Sump pumps are the simplest to eliminate and generally cost the property owner the least amount of money to remedy.

The inspections revealed what was suspected. Of the 132 inspections, 15 sump pumps were found to be pumping directly to the sanitary sewer system. On a wet day, assuming all of the pumps ran for 2 hours per day and 20 gallons per minute, these pumps would send an extra 36,000 gallons of water to the treatment plant. That is the equivalent of 360 houses discharging normal sewage for one day. That is a lot of extra water!

The property owners that have sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer have been given 6 months to correct the problem. We have been please by the cooperation shown by the affected individuals.

Brad Rokus

Wastewater Utility Manager