Sump Pump Discharge to Drywell?

[mdog78]

Here's a fun one - Bought a new construction house from an architect and investor (a flip) - passed inspection and received COO from the town, all permits closed. So you would think all is good, correct?

Well, went to do some routine maintenance on sump pump in basement and found it was discharging to the sanitary sewer - big issue. The piping was done in a way that it was hidden - essentially you couldn't tell by looking at it - it pumps behind a finished wall, where it connects to the sewer line and comes back out. Anyhow, assume for a moment that I was a duped/stupid first time home buyer and need to fix this myself.... what can I do?

House is in a small lot in an urban/suburban area. No storm sewers out front. Pump is in the front corner - with garage to one side and front of the house on the other. I don't want to pump water onto my front lawn (it kicks off regularly in heavy rains), so I am thinking my only option is a drywell, but I've heard different opinions on whether this causes more problems. Is a drywell the right route to go here? How big should it be?

 

[speedbump]

First you will have to determine what kind of soil you have to drain all this water into. If it's clay, forget it. If it's sand or gravel, it might work. Depends on how much water your trying to get rid of. I'm thinking that if the pump only comes on when it's raining, that's when the ground is already saturated.

 

[mdog78]

Thank you for the quick response. We are in the northeast and I believe others have dry wells in their lawn so I think the soil is ok. But of course I would check. We also have a high water table. After a big rain my pump goes off about once every 10 minutes but then subsides pretty quickly.

 

[frodo]

run it to the street.


around here we run a 2'' line to the curb. core drill the curb.

 

[mdog78]

Thanks. Unfortunately running to the curb not permitted by the town. They only allow running to the lawn, to a storm sewer (which I don't have on my street) or dry well.

 

[mdog78]

Getting a bit nervous that my only choice is to daylight it in my front lawn. A bit upsetting. Do appreciate everyone's input. Happy new year!

 

[frodo]

I have a wild idea, you might like.

build a small fish pond with a water fall,

if open to the idea, i can provide more detail

 

[mdog78]

I don't know if that will fly in my front lawn in my neighborhood. But that's a creative idea. Not sure what to do. It may just be that I install the dry well right before I sell the house one day so it is at least to code.

Happy new year!

 

[Solid]

I struggle with this same issue. I'm also in the NE, and it's a nightmare problem. My house passed inspection with the sump pumping directly into the sewer system in clear view. Some people say because of the age of the house, it's "grandfathered", but I have no idea if that's true.

I drain to my front yard as well, but when temps get cold (like now) it creates a winter wonderland in my yard, driveway, sidewalk and street! Very dangerous situation as the sidewalk and street become a massive sheet of ice! I had no choice but to go back to the way the sump pump was set up when I moved in. I plan on talking to the city to try and figure out a solution to this problem. I'll probably end up putting a big drywell somewhere on my small city lot. I don't see the city allowing me to pump into the storm sewer system.

 

[frodo]

Thanks. Unfortunately running to the curb not permitted by the town. They only allow running to the lawn, to a storm sewer (which I don't have on my street) or dry well.

what EXACTLY does the ordinance say

i have an idea, but want to know what the actual verbiage of the ordainance

 

[mdog78]

The sump pump or drain discharge shall preferably be directed into an existing Township storm sewer system. If the storm sewer system is not available, then the discharge shall be directed onto a surface as grass, rock or a splash pad so that the discharge will be dissipated and not immediately drain to the Township right-of-way or adjacent properties. If the pump discharge is not directed into an existing storm sewer system, then the discharge must be a minimum of ten (10') feet from, and not directed perpendicular to, any private property line. The discharge location shall be as approved by the Township Engineer, or his designee. The discharge may also be directed to a swale, ditch, drywell, detention basin, drainage basin or other drainage facility or location as approved by the Township Engineer, or his designee.

b. The discharge location shall not create a public nuisance which is any thing, condition, or act which is or may become injurious or hazardous to the public or adjacent property.

c. The discharge shall not create a build-up of icing, standing water or algae growth on the street, sidewalk or the public right-of-way.

d. No person shall connect or cause or permit to be connected any sump pump, pipe drain, floor drain, surface drain, subsoil drain or leader pipe with the house to the sanitary sewer, or use the sanitary sewer connection or any pipe or drain connected therewith for the purpose of receiving and discharging drainage of any kind other than plumbing fixtures.

e. Sump pump and pipe drain discharges may not be directed into a Township street or right-of-way unless permission is granted by the Township Engineer, or his designee.

 

[Solid]

Hang in there, MDOG78, FRODO will fix this!

I just called the city, because I can't find info like you just posted on the internet. The only person I would think I could talk to about it (plumbing inspector) is out sick, so he's going to call me back. I have a feeling it will be pretty much the same.

If nothing works out with a dry well, I'm going to burn the house down.

 

[Solid]

I don't mean to hijack mdog78's thread, but I just got off the phone with the city. They offered zero help, and the plumbing inspector said that he has nothing to do with ground water - only waste water. I can't hookup to the storm water drains, and you can't pump into the sewer. I think my only option is a drywell, and nobody cares how you do that here apparently! Very frustrating to say the least.

Please help us before our houses flood!

 

[mdog78]

Haven't seen much reply on this one in a while. As a new fun twist our town is going to smoke test the sewer lines so think I'll be making changes sooner rather than later (unless my check valves, with potentially some water in the pipe, provides me some protection here).

 

[frodo]

Mdog
.........................