How To Reduce Basement Sewer Back-Ups 

Inflow and Infiltration I/I Investigation and Removal 

One of the most frustrating experiences for homeowners is basement flooding due to sewer back-ups during major rain events. What most homeowners do not realize is that they and their neighbors could be contributing to the cause of the back-ups. The major cause of wet weather sewer back-ups is storm water that finds its way into the sanitary sewer system. This is commonly referred to as Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) occurs when groundwater and storm water enter the sanitary sewer system.

Inflow is water that is dumped into the sanitary sewer system through improper connections, such as downspouts, foundation drainage systems, sump pumps & area drains.

Infiltration  Ground water that seeps into cracks in underground pipes (caused by shifted joints, age or tree roots that have grown into the pipe.), and Storm water that enters through sump pumps or house foundation drains that are connected to the sanitary sewer.

Storm water is usually collected and transported through a separate storm sewer system; the sanitary sewer system is meant for waste discharge only. During rains storm water will find its way into the sanitary sewer system through any opening it can find, including cracks in the pipes and direct connections from plumbing in the home.

The EPA recognized the health problems caused by sewer back-ups when they outlawed storm water connections (I/I) into sanitary sewer systems in the early 1970’s. Many homes built prior to 1970 routinely had downspouts, sump pumps, area or patio drains, and foundation drains tied to the sanitary sewer system. On a street with an 8” eight inch sanitary sewer it would generally take only four 900 square foot roof tops tied into the sanitary sewer to cause a surcharge of the system.   New building codes now prohibit such connections. In 1997, the City & NEORSD completed an EPA mandated program to identify and enforce removal of illegal storm water connections.  Since then the City has continued to find and require disconnection of illegal storm connections through inspections or at the time a homeowner or contractor applies for a permit for basement waterproofing.  At that time the City requires that the foundation drains are disconnected from the sanitary sewer system and tied into a storm sewer outlet.

The City has done its part to address the I/I problem by replacing older cracked or deteriorated sanitary sewers and manholes as part of reconstruction projects. The City identifies defects in its sanitary sewer system through regular televising and inspections. In spite of these efforts, a recent engineering study of sanitary sewers has concluded that many I/I sources remain.  It further concluded that a majority of the I/I sources are due to private property storm water connections. These are connections that were either undetected during previous inspections or re-connected some time after City inspections. In Berea the vast majority of foundation drains are tied directly into the sanitary service line. These can only be detected through excavation or televising of the sewer service. Unless more of these storm connections are detected and removed, wet weather sewer back-ups and surcharged sanitary sewers will continue to be a major problem.

Residents are urged to do their part by having an inspection of their inside plumbing to see if there are any improper connections to the sanitary sewer system. Down spouts that are piped underground may be connected to the sanitary sewer. Your storm sump should discharge through a pipe in your foundation wall to the outside of your home. Area and patio drains should outlet to a storm sewer. If in doubt, contact the Engineering Department at 440-826-5814.  We will be happy to schedule an inspection and run a dye test to determine where your drain discharges. Should you find an improper connection, a licensed plumber should be contacted to correct the situation.

Finding and removing storm water connections from the sanitary sewer is an ongoing effort. We are hoping that this information will help City residents realize that reducing basement back-ups will be a collective effort which will take time