Inpections Continue for Illegal Sump Pump Connections
By Caroline P. Misarski, Record-Journal staff
Source: Record Journal

CHESHIRE(CT) — The town is continuing its inspection program to find residents who have sump pumps hooked to the sewer system in order to decrease the volume of wastewater going into the sewage treatment plant.

The town began a second round of house inspections Saturday in areas with sewers where residents are known to have sump pumps that were not accessible during the initial inspection in January.

A representative of B & W Pipe Services, Inc. is conducting the inspections as part of the town’s efforts to reduce the inflow at the wastewater treatment. Illegal inflow is ground or storm water connected to the sanitary sewer system through basement sump pumps, floor drains, roof leaders, foundation and yard drains, and catch basins. These illegal connections contribute to high flows at the wastewater treatment plant, adding a financial burden to the town and the taxpayers. The sump pumps should be connected to storm drains instead.

In the fall, the Water Pollution Control Authority imposed a 65-day moratorium on new connections to the sewage treatment plant because the flow coming in had reached 90 percent of its official capacity. The town hopes that reducing illegal sump pump connections will create more space in the treatment plant and delay an addition to it.

The town asks homeowners to allow the inspector to see their basements. The inspector will have a photo ID with the Town of Cheshire seal and an authorization letter from the town, and should clearly identify themselves and their purpose. If homeowners have questions, they can call the Public Works Department at (203) 271-6650.

Joe Michelangelo, director of public works, said Friday the WPCA has decided to charge an additional fee to those who have a sump pump hooked to the sewer system. However, the amount of the surcharge has not been determined.

During the January inspections, 12 houses were identified with illegal sump pumps.

The inspection period will last about three weeks, primarily on Saturdays.