In an effort to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters Anderson's sewer system when it rains, the city is continuing Anderson's downspout disconnection program. In past years, there have been organized initiatives that verified the disconnection of downspouts and sump pumps from the sewer system. This current phase of the program asks Anderson's citizens to continue to partner with the city to improve water quality, protect our homes from flooding, and reduce operational cost to the city.

Rainwater that enters the city's sanitary and combined sewer system takes up valuable capacity in the sewer lines. When storm water rapidly enters the combined sewers the system can become overloaded resulting in the discharge of combined sewage to the White River. Excessive amounts of storm water entering the city sewer system can also result in flooding of streets and homes.

Why Should I Disconnect
Combined sewer overflows discharge when the volume of rainwater or snow melt entering the combined sewer system causes the combination of sanitary sewage and rainwater in the system to exceed the capacity of the pipes that carry waste to the wastewater treatment plant.

The points in the combined sewer system designed to relieve this excess capacity are CSO discharge points. During significant rain events combined sanitary sewage and rainwater is discharged to the White River at these locations.

By eliminating as many sources of inflow as possible you are helping to protect the water quality of the White River and protecting your family and property from possible sewer backups and overflows. Also, the reduction of storm water to the sewer collection system results in decreased maintenance and operational cost for the City of Anderson.

When downspouts and sump pumps are disconnected from the sewer both the amount of stormwater and rate that stormwater enters the sewer system are reduced. Part of the water from these disconnections will infiltrate into the ground and never enter the sewer system. The part of the water that does run off of our yards and enters the sewer system through a catch basin does so much slower than water from a direct connection. The reduction in stormwater volume combined with the delayed entry of stormwater into the sewer system assist in reducing the number of times the sewer system becomes overloaded.

Am I Required to Disconnect
In addition to providing many benefits to the community, disconnection of downspouts and sump pumps is required by the City of Anderson. City Ordinance 54.110 "Building Storm Water Management" specifically prohibits the connection of downspouts and sump pumps to the sanitary or combined sewer system.

Learn More
You may request a hard copy of additional information by contacting the City of Anderson Stormwater Department at 765-648-6129.  Please help us to keep our waterways clean, protect our homes, and reduce cost.