Downspout & Drain Removal
Residents in various areas of Toledo have been notified of the need to disconnect downspouts and driveway drains that flow directly into the City’s sanitary sewer lines. Eliminating these connections is required under the Consent Decree between the City of Toledo and the Ohio and U.S. EPAs.
Toledo residents are required to remove these sources of storm water inflow at their expense; however, the City of Toledo has a grant program to assist residents to recover the costs of disconnecting sources of inflow from their property. More information can be found here.
Private inflow is rain or groundwater which enters the sanitary sewer from a private property through an improper or unauthorized connection such as downspouts or area drains. This additional water causes backup of sewage into residents’ basements and also causes overflows of pollution into local rivers and streams.
During heavy rainfalls, sanitary sewer systems can become overloaded. Rainwater can enter the sanitary sewer from gutters, downspouts and drains that are connected to sanitary sewers. Redirection of storm water coming from downspouts and driveway drains to vegetated areas can reduce storm water entering the sewer system, preventing pollution and helping to reduce flooding.
Incorrect roof drainage could be caused by downspouts that drain directly into the sanitary sewer line; downspouts that do not drain water away from the house; or grading in the yard that does not direct water from the house.
A correct roof drainage system should include gutters on the bottom edges of roofs; a plug in the sanitary sewer line where the downspout had been connected; a downspout extension that drains roof water away from the house; and grading that provides gradual slope away from the house.
Driveway drains must also be eliminated under the Consent Decree. Drains that currently flow to the sanitary sewer must be rerouted to a ditch or storm sewer. In most cases, a contractor must be contacted to address this problem. Adding carport roofs or re-grading low-lying lawn areas are alternatives to rerouting these drains.
By keeping storm water out of the sanitary or storm sewers you can reduce sewage overflows and flooding; reduce basement flooding from sanitary sewer backups; lower sewer usage rates paid by the community and you; and reduce water use for landscaping.