Buffalo Residents
Steady spring rains has led to additional amounts of water being treated at the City of Buffalo Water Treatment Facility. Some of this water can infiltrate the system through man-holes and pipe joints, but another way it can sneak into our system is through a direct connection in the basements of resident’s homes.
Improper installation of sump pumps, through cross connections can increase plant flows drastically during rain events. A cross connection is when a portion of the stormwater system is connected to the sanitary sewer system. Often, this is a hose leading from the sump to a laundry tub or a floor drain or a sump pump with a hose emptying into a drain.
Our city code treats sump pump discharge like rain spouts for gutters on a roof. As long as the discharge is composed entirely of ground water or natural precipitation, it should be routed outdoors. It is actually against city ordinance 48-109 to connect a sump pump to our sewage treatment system (for example via a utility sink or floor drain) as it results in additional wastewater treatment costs, causes blockages, and needlessly sends clean water to the plant for treatment. Homeowners are encouraged to route sump pump discharge at least 6 feet away from their home onto the lawn for infiltration prior to reaching the street. The hose should be placed in a manner that will not cause negative impacts to adjacent property owners or create a public safety concern.
If you have any questions, regarding sump pump regulations (PDF),please contact the City of Buffalo Water Reclamation Plant at 763.682.1182.