BOONE, Iowa—The City of Boone began it’s sump pump inspection program earlier this year in a targeted area on the west side of the city.  The area had issues with overcharged sanitary sewer lines following heavy rainfall.  As part of an integrated plan worked out with the Iowa DNR, the city need to reduce “inflow and infiltration” of storm water into the sanitary sewer system.  The Council amended it’s ordinances and moved to prohibit the discharge of sump pumps into the sanitary sewer at anytime.

City Engineer Dan Scott reported to the Council’s Utility Committee this week that inspections in the targeted area have been completed.  There were 520 individual properties.  480 were inspected and there was a 17% failure rate, or a little over 80 properties were still discharging sump pumps into the sanitary sewer.  He said of those, about 30 have been changed over by the beginning of the week.  Work is continuing with the remaining property owners.

Scott told the Utility Committee members that the other 40-have either refused to allow an inspection or had an inspection that failed and refused to allow any follow-up inspection.  He said several efforts were made to contact property owners to schedule appointments for sump pump inspections.  The Utility Committee noted that under the program information, a penalty may be imposed for refusing an inspection and did direct city staff to begin implementing that penalty.  The program information says:  A $50/month ‘clear water’ surcharge will be applied to your utility bill, which may escalate to $70/month and possible civil penalties, until an inspection is completed to verify that no clear water connections are present within your home or building.  More information on the program is available on the city’s website.

Map of the area targeted for sump pump inspections.