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A typical residence may have several potential defects allowing stormwater to enter the sanitary sewer system. One such is pictured at left, a driveway drain. If a connection between such a drain and the sanitary sewer system exists, it will usually be identified through smoke testing--field technicians will spot smoke escaping through the drain and mark the spot so that it can be repaired.

How are these drains connecting to the sanitary sewer system? One very important factor to keep in mind is that there is a difference between a sanitary sewer system and a stormwater drainage system! These are two seperate systems: a stormwater drainage system simply collects stormwater and shunts it elsewhere. Organizations such as the EPA are not as concerned with stormwater as they are with the toxic chemicals present in a sanitary sewer system! Stormwater can be collected and released into the ground, where it will eventually return to the aquifer. However, a sanitary sewer system must be a 'closed' system--wastewater and the chemicals it contains cannot be released onto the ground, but must be properly treated at an approved treatment plant. There should be no 'communication' between the two systems! If stormwater from a driveway drain, for example, is being introduced into the sanitary sewer system, this can overload the system and cause overflows, which release these toxic chemicals into the environment. It's critical that these 'lines of communication' between the two systems be identified and repaired!

Other types of defects you might see include roof downspouts, uncapped cleanouts, yard or area drains, window well drains, foundation perimeter drains or defective service pipes. Any or all of these might permit passage of stormwater into the sanitary sewer system!

Wade & Associates, under the scope of work proposed by your city, seeks to identify and catalogue all such defects. Once completed, a report will be submitted to the city permitting the city to target areas for repair and rehabilitation.

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