Residents asked to discharge sump pumps outside

WASHBURN, Maine — Residents are being asked to voluntarily comply with regard to re-routing sump pump discharge — a request made during a recent meeting by members of the Washburn Water & Sewer District (WSD), to address the increased amount of water entering the treatment plant on the Parsons Road.
Officials sought public input to determine if the matter could be handled without a town ordinance to begin charging citizens for the increased amount of water entering the sewer system during certain times of the year.
Matt Palmer, director of operations, noted this spring’s flooding resulted in thousands of gallons of water entering the town’s sewer system, largely as the result of people using sump pumps to drain water from their basements. He indicated this is an ongoing problem.
“Over the past few years, the Water & Sewer District has invested time and resources looking for the source of excess water coming into the sewer collection system. The District has spent $30,000 in sewer surveys, camera work and labor looking for sources of the excess water, such as broken pipes or failing manholes,” Palmer wrote in an April letter to customers.
“In the springtime or during periods of heavy rains, the flows at the sewer treatment plant increase by a factor of 15 (0.05 million gallons per day to over 0.80 million gallons per day). These excess flow events overload the sewer treatment by 2.5 times the design capacity. State offices expect us to address this issue,” said Palmer.
The board of trustees for the WSD sought to adopt a Sewer Use Ordinance which reads: “No person(s) shall discharge or cause to be discharged any unpolluted waters such as storm water, surface waters, groundwater, roof runoff, subsurface drainage, uncontaminated cooling water or unpolluted industrial process waters to any sanitary sewer.”
“The board of trustees intends to facilitate permanent removal of perimeter drains and sump pumps from discharging into the sanitary sewer system,” said Palmer. The initial plan was, beginning in September 2014, to assess a $15 monthly fee for every property where a perimeter drain or sump pump disconnection from the sanitary sewer drain is not confirmed.
Joining Palmer at the meeting were WSD Chair Leigh Morrow, Treasurer Steve Davis and Trustee Perlin Bull. Nearly a dozen customers — of the approximately 366 who use the system in town — were also present and expressed their concerns over having an added fee tacked on their bills each month.
“This is a sewer issue. The $15 (monthly) charge is enticement for you to get the matter fixed,” said Morrow, indicating those using sump pumps should run the hose to drain outside their building, rather than have it run into the sewer system.
Palmer said no storm drains are tied into the system and that water entering those drains makes its way to the brook.
“A lot is coming from sump pumps; we’re also dealing with a 70-year-old (pipe) system,” said Palmer.
“We can have a nice, dry summer, then get an inch of rain fast, with perimeter drains and sump pumps flowing into the system,” he said.
Palmer said “all treatment plants in the area are under pressure by DEP to get excess water out of their systems.”
“Our system is designed for 40,000 to 50,000 gallons a day, but during this spring’s flood DEP saw we had 800,000 gallons enter our system. In a couple years we’ll be re-doing our license to discharge into the Aroostook River and will have to address the problem before then,” said Palmer.
“We’re not establishing a fee but rather a deterrent,” noted Morrow. “This is not intended to be a fee for use. It’s because we’re under pressure from the state to re-enforce usage guidelines.”
“There are people out there looking at our discharge limits. DEP gets involved when they see regulations not being enforced, then they fine us for noncompliance. When we go to renew our license, DEP will tighten up even more on us” if we don’t address the issue now, said Palmer.
Following nearly an hour of discussion, Morrow said the matter would be tabled until a later date, with residents encouraged to have their drainage voluntarily inspected by a WSD representative, moving sump pump discharge to the exterior of buildings to avoid fees in the future, should any be implemented.
“We can discuss this more but I won’t make a motion to adopt at this time. It wouldn’t have taken effect until September,” said Morrow. “We appreciate your comments; they’ve been useful.”
Palmer said those interested in having an inspection performed should call the WSD at 455-1042.
“Those found in compliance will avoid any potential fees in the future,” said Palmer.