Storm and Sanitation

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What is a Sewage Overflow?

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) are a release of untreated or partially treated sewage from a municipal sanitary sewer.

Combined sewer overflows occur during storms when there is more stormwater flowing than the pipes leading to a treatment plant can handle. The excess runoff flushes human and industrial wastes, oil, toxic metals, pesticides, and litter into streams.

How Can We Prevent Sewage Overflows?

  • Routine Maintenance

    Be Preventative!

    Routinely jet lines around the city to avoid pipes failing. With continuous build up of oil, grease, fats, etc. and no maintenance, these pipes become clogged and can back up into a home. Think of it like an artery. Fat coats the edges of the pipe until it is unable to let water/sewage pass through.

    Clogs aren’t just nuisances. Backed-up water puts added pressure on your wastepipes, stressing them and shortening their lifespan.

    Using the pipe camera to identify any obstructions is beneficial to ensuring the success of the pipe. Often, damaged pipes that allow groundwater to seep in. This results in the unnecessary treatment of uncontaminated groundwater. This can become very costly for the city.

  • Education

    Educate your family and friends on what they can and cannot flush/put down the drains.

    Can:

    Toilet Paper

    Water

    Human waste

    Cannot:

    Wet Wipes (even if they say ‘flushable’, they are not)

    Oil

    Grease

    Hygiene Products

Be careful what you are putting down your garbage disposal. Refrain from items that include grease and oil.

Sump Pumps:

Find It, Fix It

If you see a sump pump discharging into a sanitary sewer, report it. Sump pumps release uncontaminated groundwater. The clean groundwater is then sent to Indianapolis and treated for a cost.

Sump pumps may be tied into a storm sewer rather than sanitary.

Good Housekeeping

  • 1. Are there any empty drums/containers or chemicals that are no longer being used? If so, these drums/containers or chemicals should be removed and recycled or disposed of properly.

  • 2. Are the trash dumpsters covered?

    2a. Is trash area free of debris and signs of leaking?

  • 3. Are chemicals storage shelves organized and free from stains and spills?

  • 4. Are gas cans or other chemicals kept off the floor and away from floor drains?

  • 5. Is the gas can flammable cabinet clean, with no drips or spills?

  • 6. Are absorbent materials stocked and readily available?

  • 7. Are spill clean-up materials being disposed of properly?

  • 8. Is the floor clean?

    8a. Are floor drains clean, free of debris, and are they well marked?

  • 9. Are vehicles and equipment being stored indoors?

  • 10. Are vehicles and equipment free from leaks and drips?

  • 11. Are storm drains inlets clean with no signs of pollution?

  • 12. Is vehicle and equipment washing being conducted only indoors?

  • 13. Is the ditch behind the Street Department clean, with no oil sheens present?

  • 14. Are top soil and asphalt stockpiles neatly piled and kept pushed back?

  • 15. Are stockpiles of sand, gravel, concrete, and soil piled and isolated from storm inlets and ditches?

  • 16. Is salt being swept up, and not being exposed to storm water? (Sand bagged)

  • 17. Are bags of Ice Melt kept off the ground?

    17a. Are Open bags of Ice Melt stored in some form of secondary containment?

  • 18. Is Fuel Pump Island area clean, with no spills or drips?

    18a. Are spill kits stocked and easily accessible in the fueling area?

  • 18b. Are the fuel pumps locked when not in use?

    18c. Is the storm drain inlet next to the fuel area clean and free of debris?

  • 19. Is the oil/water separator being properly maintained?

  • 20. Are the surrounding grounds and paved areas free of leaks, spills, trash, and other debris?

  • 21. Is the parts washer lid kept closed when not in use and the sign posted?

  • 22. Are the Material Data Safety Sheets/Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals onsite available and easily accessible?

  • 23. Are the outdoor bulk storage tanks clean and fee of leaks, drips, or spills?

  • 24. Are bulk storage tanks labeled according to their contents?

  • 25. Are secondary containment units retaining accumulated storm water?

  • 26. Are the secondary containment units free of debris, oil sheen, or other signs of contamination?

  • 27. Are the secondary containment units in good condition without signs of deterioration or cracks?

  • 28. Are the tanks secured from unauthorized use and vandalism?

  • 29. Are absorbent materials stocked and readily available near bulk storage tanks?

  • 30. Are recycled drums/containers labeled as “Empty” or according to their reuse?

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