RAPID CITY, SD—Residents in the Rapid City area have welcomed the recent rains but even moderate amounts of precipitation can create water-filled basements, crawl spaces and rooms in the home. City officials are reminding residents it is illegal to discharge water from sump pumps into the City’s sanitary sewer system and advise residents to remove sump pump connections to the sanitary sewer.
Moderate to heavy spring and summer rains can sometimes result in flooded areas of the home. Residents who rely on sump pumps in their homes sometimes seek to discharge the water into the City’s sanitary sewer system. Such actions can be a contributing factor to sewer backups. Connecting a sump pump to a floor drain or other sewer connection is illegal. City officials encourage sewer customers to be good neighbors and remove sump pump connections to the sanitary sewer, including floor drains or other connections to City’s sanitary sewer system.
Sump pumps, which remove ground water from homes and businesses, should be discharged into yards, streets, or the storm sewer, according to city officials. The sanitary sewer system is designed to convey only water from toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and laundry machines. If residents are found in violation of City ordinances (13.16.200 and 1.12.010), they risk a fine of $500 and/or jail time of up to 30 days.
Questions regarding sump pump discharge can be directed to the City Utility Maintenance Division at 605-394-4163.
