Rainy Forecast Prompts Proper Sump Pump Instructions

Preparations begin for a significant rain event. A plea from the City arrives to properly remove ground water from the home.

Thursday’s forecast call for heavy rains. Homeowners are thus reminded that sump pumps must be set up to drain outside their homes.

The City of Sioux Falls issued a press release which contained a clear message. “Improperly discharging sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system can result in sewage backups into homes,” says Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works. “It is illegal to attach sump pumps to floor drains or otherwise connect them to the City’s sanitary sewer system.”

Sump pumps, which remove groundwater from homes and businesses, should be discharged into yards or streets. Properly discharged water will enter the storm drainage system where pipes are designed to handle the larger water flows created by the sump pumps and rain runoff. The storm drainage system includes the City’s curb and gutter, street inlets, large diameter drainage pipes, drainage ditches, and detention ponds, which ultimately discharge to the Big Sioux River.

The sanitary sewer system is designed to convey only water from toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and laundry machines. The sanitary sewer system includes smaller diameter pipe that ultimately goes to the City’s wastewater treatment plant before discharging to the Big Sioux River.

Heavy flows or abnormal readings into the sanitary sewer system over the next couple of days will likely catch the attention of Public Works. If residents are found in violation of these City ordinances, the City Code Enforcement Officer may issue a citation with a fine.