Workshops Explain Downspout Disconnection
The City of Detroit manages its water resources through a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system. This type of system mixes storm water and raw sewage prior to treatment at a wastewater facility. During a major rain storm, the CSO system may be unable to treat the large quantity of water, leading to an overflow of contaminated sewage into nearby rivers and lakes. This can also cause backups in the piping network which can contribute to basement flooding and other problems.In response to these problems, residents of all Michigan cities including Detroit are now required by law to disconnect downspouts leading to the sanitary sewer system.A downspout from a 1200 square foot household can direct over 40,000 gallons of clean storm water into the sewer system every year. A disconnected household downspout diverts this water so that it can be infiltrated in the landscape surrounding our homes. Downspout disconnection has the following benefits for the individual homeowner and the community at large:
- Reduced likelihood of basement flooding.
- Reduced likelihood of mixed waste and storm water overflows into waterways including the Rouge and Detroit Rivers and Lake Saint Clair.
- Reduced likelihood of mixed waste and storm water backflows into our homes.
- Increased opportunities for creative rain water use and landscaping opportunities including rain barrels and rain gardens.
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