Flow Right Update: Pueblo Sump Pump Compliance
Have you recently received a letter about Pueblo Wastewater’s new sump pump compliance verification efforts? In December, both the city website and KOAA NEWS5 reported that some residents and business owners may soon need to provide proof of compliance with the City of Pueblo’s sump pump code. If you have received a verification letter or you own a sump pump you suspect is out of compliance, here’s what you should know.
What is a Sump Pump?
A sump pump is a device that is installed in a basement or crawl space to remove water in the event of flooding. Sump pumps sit in a hole called a basin that is dug lower than the basement floor. The pump is equipped with a switch that is triggered by rising water levels in the basin. Once the switch is activated, the pump turns on and begins removing water from the interior to a designated area outside the home.
Some sump pumps may be located outdoors. These pumps are used to prevent standing water in the yard and around your home’s foundation. They are often used in conjunction with a French drain system. These pumps also relocate standing water to a designated area.
Why Is the City of Pueblo Verifying Compliance?
Sump pumps are a great way to keep basements and foundations from flooding, but improperly installed sump pumps can cause chaos in the city sewer. In fact, it is illegal to connect your sump pump’s discharge line to the city sewer. Ordinance Chapter 7, Section 16-7-15 states that: “It shall be unlawful to make new connections of roof downspouts, foundation drains or other sources of surface runoff or ground water to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to a public sanitary sewer.”
There are two good reasons for that.
First, sewer pipes are designed specifically to handle sewage — not a sudden onslaught of hundreds of gallons of water. The more sump pumps that illegally dump storm water into the sewer, the more chance there will be a surcharge — water, now with the added danger of raw sewage, flooding back into your home or the homes of everyone else in the neighborhood. Surcharge can even push sewage up into your washing machine or toilets!
Second, non-compliant sump pumps also create problems with water treatment. The City of Pueblo notes that Pueblo’s ground water contains high amounts of selenium and sulfate, which are expensive to remove at the water reclamation site. One Wastewater Townhall reported that treatment for selenium and sulfate would cost as much as $200 million, which would make utility bills too expensive for Pueblo residents.
How Do I Know if My Sump Pump is Out of Compliance?
The easiest way to determine if your sump pump is up to code is to pour water into your basin until it flips on your pump. Designate someone to go outside and locate the exit pipe. It should be located away from the foundation (if it’s not, that’s a different problem). If you cannot find the drain for your sump pump, it may be connected to the sewer. However, it may also be collapsed, buried under debris or otherwise hidden.
If you would like assistance with locating your sump pump drain or would like to have it inspected for compliance, you can call the Wastewater Department or contact Flow Right for help! Give us a call at (719) 564-2101and ask for assistance with sump pump compliance.
Make sure your sump pump is compliant. Connecting to the sewer can cause big problems for everyone.[/caption]
What Do I Do if My Pump is Out of Compliance?
If your sump pump is out of compliance, you will be required to get it up to code. Additionally, you will likely pay for the costs of this drain disconnection and relocation yourself. Please give Flow Right a call if you need to schedule an appointment to update your sump pump!
Flow Right can help Pueblo home and business owners:
- Identify where the sump pump connects with the sewer line
- Disconnect the line and inspect and close off the old line
- Identify a new, compliant location for your new drain
- Plot the path for your new drain line from the basement
- Excavate and trench new line
- Build and connect pipes from pump to drain
- Install backflow prevention
- Test your system
- Refill trench and monitor your new drain system for issues
Keep Utility Costs Low — Stay Compliant with Sump Pump Regulations
Don’t put off updating your sump pump if it is out of compliance. Update your system now to avoid paying costly fees if and when the city eventually enforces compliance. Not only will you prevent a potentially catastrophic surcharge of sewage into your community, but you’ll also help keep your energy bills lower. We’re here to help — just call us at (719) 564-2101 to set up an appointment