BOONE, Iowa—In an effort to take a bite out of storm water getting into the sanitary sewer system, the Boone City Council’s Utility Committee will bring a recommendation to the full city council Monday that could prohibit residents from discharging sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system.  The Utility Committee did review alternatives during a meeting Tuesday and the main focus was trying to reduce the amount of storm water getting into the sanitary sewer system.  Exactly how that will be accomplished will need to be determined, but the committee felt that voluntary efforts have not been successful so something will need to be developed to make it mandatory and possibly include a penalty.

The impact of discharging sump pumps and perimeter footing tile into the sanitary sewer system is felt a couple of different ways.  The first is during big rain events, sewers are more likely to back up into people’s basements.  The second is monetary.  All the storm water ends up at the waste water treatment plant and goes through the regular treatment process which increases the cost.  Those costs are passed on through utility bills.

Another impact will be future improvements mandated for the waste water treatment plant.  Those improvements have been delayed for a couple of years by an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  Improvements will require a disinfection process which is expected to cost about $1-million.  However, the cost could go up quite a bit if Boone residents are required to have the additional storm water treated.

The Utility Committee had a half dozen options to consider, but the popular idea was the elimination of sump pumps discharging into the sanitary sewer system.  The specifics of how that will be accomplished will be part of the discussion by the City Council next Monday.