MITCHELL, S.D. — As residents prepare their homes for colder weather, the City of Mitchell is reminding homeowners to check their sump pumps and make sure the water is being discharged properly.
In a public works notice posted Sept. 21, the city urged residents to verify that their pumps are working and reminded them that sump water must not enter the public sanitary sewer system.
The notice cites city ordinance prohibiting the discharge of stormwater, groundwater, footing drain water and certain other unpolluted water into sanitary sewers. That restriction includes allowing water to collect in a sump and then pumping it into the sewer system.
The city specifically warns residents against directing sump pump discharge into basement floor drains or other sanitary sewer connections. Doing so can cause the sewer system to back up, potentially affecting both the property where the water originates and neighboring homes.
Instead, the city recommends draining sump pumps toward the curb. Where possible, residents should avoid discharging water into their backyards, where it may return to the ground and require their own pump or a neighbor’s pump to handle it again.
For homeowners reviewing their setup, the reminder presents two separate checks: whether the pump operates properly and where its discharge water goes. A functioning pump still needs an appropriate outlet that keeps groundwater out of the sanitary sewer.
Residents with questions about sump pump drainage or the city’s requirements can contact the wastewater department at 605-995-8446.