Sump Pump Program

The City of Maplewood initiated a sump pump inspection program in March of 2005. The goal of this program is to reduce the amount of clean water, which includes storm water, ground water and surface runoff, also known as inflow and infiltration or I/I, that enters the sanitary sewer collection system and is treated as wastewater (sewage).

One way that I/I can be reduced is through the elimination of sump pumps that may be connected to the sanitary sewer system.

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services

Maplewood's sewage is treated by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES). MCES began to incorporate surcharges in 2007 for communities that exceed peak flow limits.

Maplewood falls somewhere in the top 10 communities which were identified by MCES that appear to have high peak flows. Excessive peak flows put stress on both the Maplewood sewer system and the MCES collection system and increase the cost of wastewater treatment.

The result is that Maplewood residents, along with others in the metropolitan area, are paying higher costs for use of the sanitary sewer collection system.

Ordinance

The Maplewood City Council has approved an ordinance that will assist in the inspection of private property to assure that sump pumps in Maplewood are not contributing to the I/I problem.

A sump pump should discharge outside the house, preferably to a grassed drainage swale. If the sump pump is connected to a floor drain or internal system, it may be improperly connected.