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What Homeowners need to Know
Homeowner's Role
Homeowners play a key role
helping to solve the sewage overflow issue. It is the homeowner's
responsibility to fix any improper connections to the sanitary sewer line
such as downspouts, driveway drains and groundwater sump pumps. Homeowners
must also maintain and/or repair their house lateral.
In Sellersburg, homeowners are
responsible for the entire length of the lateral from the home to the main
sewer line connection in the street.
House laterals often can become
deteriorated or clogged with tree roots. It's important for homeowners to
have their lateral checked for leaks that can allow groundwater to seep
into the system or for clogged areas that can slow the flow of wastewater
from your home, or cause a back-up of sewage into your basement.
If an improper connection is
detected, the homeowner must disconnect the problem area and drain the stormwater onto the ground, into a drainage ditch or
into the storm sewer line. It is recommended that you contact a licensed
plumber to correct the problem.
Additional
Ways the Homeowner can Help
Protecting our waterways is the
responsibility of all individuals. In addition to disconnecting improper
connections to the sewer system, it is also important to remember that:
Fixing the sewer overflow problem
potentially could cost millions of dollars and it will require your
support. You’re Town Council is going to be working hard over the coming
years as municipalities strive to comply with an EPA administrative consent
order to begin fixing the problem.
Conserving water is one way to
lower your overall utility bill as well as to help reduce the flow being
transported to the sewer treatment facility. Some ways to conserve water in
your home include:
·
Install low-flow toilets, which use less water for flushing or place
a brick or sand-filled plastic bottle in your toilet tank to decrease the
water used per flush
·
Take shorter showers and/or install a low-flow showerhead.
·
Turn water off when shaving, brushing your teeth and washing your
hands. Only turn it back on when needed.
·
When using a dishwasher, run only full loads and use shorter cycles
when possible. If hand washing, rinse sparingly or fill a second sink basin
for rinsing.
·
Wash full loads of laundry whenever possible or use a lower water
volume setting for small loads.
Remember that chemicals you use in
your lawn and garden affect our rivers and streams as well. When it rains,
pesticides and other chemicals will be washed into the stormwater
system and deposited directly into our rivers. If necessary, use only
toxic-free home and garden products.
Wash your car at a commercial
self-car wash that recycles wash water. If you do wash your car at home,
wash it on the lawn to keep soapy water from flowing into the storm drain.
Don't leave the hose running continuously.
Water your lawn and garden in the
morning when less water is lost to evaporation, and limit it to one hour a
week (Healthy grass only needs about 1 inch of water a week.). Keep the
grass cut at about 2.5-3 inches so it doesn't dry out as quickly.
Redirect your downspouts so that
the rain soaks into your yard or garden, rather than running down the
driveway or into the street.
Consider installing a rain barrel
to help capture and store rainwater that can be used on your lawn and
garden.
Plant trees and other vegetation
to help reduce stormwater run-off by allowing
rainwater to soak into the ground.
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