PUBLIC WORKS
Lindsey Church Utility Superintendent lchurch@fhgc.com
THE INFILTRATION SAGA CONTINUES
Earlier this year I sent an email regarding infiltration from snowmelt entering the sewer collection system and causing issues at the wastewater treatment plant. Our initial focus was to locate any sump pumps that may have been inadvertently connected to the home sewer plumbing. Sump pumps, not to be confused with grinder pumps, are used to remove nuisance water from home foundations. Well, that investigation highlighted another issue. We noticed snowmelt flowing through a vent located on the side of a grinder pump barrel. This water is ultimately pumped to the wastewater facility and adds up quickly. Over time, the ground level around the barrels may have been altered by landscaping or natural build-up allowing surface water to easily enter through the vents or seep under the lid. It all depends on the pump and barrel combination you have as there are 3 types in Forest Highlands. Your landscaper or handyman can check the grading around your grinder pump barrel to ensure proper drainage. Below you will see a picture of a grinder pump barrel with the vent located below ground level allowing water to enter. The 3 pictures to the right shows proper grading.
Pricture 1: Proper grading.
Pricture 2: Proper grading.
Pricture 3: Proper grading.
If you have any questions, please send me; Lindsey Church an email at lchurch@fhgc.com
Grinder Pump barrel with vent located below ground level
We are still working on identifying any issues that may be present with sump pumps. The best time for us to focus on this effort is when surface water from heavy rainfall or snowmelt is active. To say the least, resolution to the infiltration problem is going to take some time. Thank you for patience and help with this matter.
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