Number
000580
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY, PAWLINSKI AND BOHL
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to connection of downspouts and sump pumps to combined or storm sewers.
Sections
225-4-2-a rc
225-4-2-b rc
225-4-2-f rc
225-4-2-h rc
225-8-1 rc
225-8-2 rc
252-71-3 rp
Analysis
Currently, all downspouts and sump pumps must be connected to the city sewer system, and the city has regulations prohibiting any discharge which damages a neighboring property. Under this ordinance, the owner of a single- or 2-family residence may choose to disconnect downspouts or sump pumps and discharge them to finished grade, provided certain provisions are met. The city would also no longer have an ordinance prohibiting damage to another homeowner's property related to such discharge.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee currently requires that all buildings of more than 1,000 square feet in area within the City have roof rainwater leaders, conductors and downspouts connected to a sewer system where available; and
Whereas, The City requires that all sump pumps be connected to the sewer system where available; and
Whereas, These regulations have resulted in large amounts of rainwater entering the sewer system; and
Whereas, The Deep Tunnel System has been successful in reducing the amount of sewer overflows from an average of 40-60 a year to 2 a year and improving water quality in Milwaukee-area rivers and Lake Michigan; and
Whereas, Large volumes of rainwater entering the sewerage system throughout the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District service area during intense rainfalls have been the driving force behind recent overflows into area waterways; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee is committed to finding cost-effective means of reducing the number of sewer overflows; and
Whereas, The rainwater which currently flows into the sewer...
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