The City of Durand’s Footing Drain Separation Program has been very successful. The program began on January 1, 2002 in an effort to reduce the amount of storm water that was entering our sanitary sewer system. With the cooperation of the residents in the effected areas, as of October 23, 2003 there have been 107 footing drains disconnected. This has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the flows at the Vinewood Street pumping station and at the treatment plant. This reduction in flow not only reduces the likelihood of having sewer backups but it has resulted in gained capacity of approximately 130,000 gallons per day at the treatment plant. This is the equivalent flow that would be generated by approximately 500 homes.
The average cost for the separations were approximately $300.00 for those who completed the work themselves and just under $1,500.00 for those who hired a contractor. Through the city’s Financial Assistance Program many homeowners completed their disconnection with no out-of-pocket cost. As of October 23, 2003 the city had issued just under $50,000.00 in assistance funds. There have also been funds available through the Shiawassee County Housing Rehabilitation Program.
The success of this program would not have been possible without the outstanding cooperation of all involved.
If you have any questions, or would like some help inspecting your system, please contact City Hall at 989-288-3113.
In addition to the Footing Drain Program, there have been over 50 sump pumps disconnected from the sanitary sewer system. Footing drains and sump pumps that are connected to the city's sanitary sewer system, are the main cause of such problems as: Basements flooding, system backups and plant overflows. They also cost our customers thousands of dollars every year, by having to pump and treat storm water unnecessarily. Sump pump discharges should be connected to the storm sewer system or discharged directly onto the ground outside your home. Footing drains should be connected to a sump crock and discharged to the storm sewer system or directly onto the ground.
If you would like to inspect your own system, here are some things to look for:
- Is there anything other than rain/ground water going to your sump pump?
- Discharges from laundry, bar sinks, water softeners, etc. should be connected to the sanitary sewer.
- Follow the discharge line from your pump, it should not be connected to your sanitary sewer.
- Does your pump run a lot when it is raining?
- Check your down spouts, they should discharge at least five feet away from the house. If they don't there is a variety of ways to correct this.
- Check the grade (the way the ground slopes) around your home. It should all slope away from the house. A good way to check this is to look for standing water around your house during or just after a good rain. Fill any low spots so that the water runs away from the house.