Clear Water Elimination Inspections

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Building Inspections

Introduction

The Village of Mount Prospect is required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC) to eliminate clear water from entering sanitary sewers.

Clear water is ground, rain or storm water that ends up in the sanitary sewer. It's hard to think of clear water as bad, and that's part of the problem. Clear water belongs in storm sewers or on the surface of the ground, but not in sanitary sewers. Too much clear water is getting into the sanitary sewers and overwhelming the sewer, causing basement backups and sanitary overflows.

The Village has a Clear Water Inspection Program, commonly referred to as the Building Inspection Program, in place to identify areas where clear water may by entering the sanitary sewer system and to encourage homeowner compliance with Village code in fixing improper connections. The Public Works Department requires all properties to have a clear water elimination inspection.

During a major storm, clear water entering sanitary sewers can overload the system causing sewage to backup into homes. Backups can cause significant damage, cause odors and are very difficult and expensive to clean. They often result in loss of property and expensive repairs. Backup problems can be caused or worsened by clear water entering the sewer system. When these issues are addressed, fewer backups occur.

What Happens When Excess Clear Water Enters the Sanitary Sewers?

Sanitary sewers are designed to convey a certain amount of water. When the sewers are overcome with clear water they become surcharged (flowing at a level greater than the "normal" level). Basement backups occur when significant amount of clear water infiltrates the sanitary sewer.

How does excess clear water enter the sanitary sewers?

Clear water enters the sanitary sewers either through infiltration or inflow. Infiltration/inflow is clean water that enters the sanitary sewer by means other than street inlets. Infiltration/inflow can occur from cracks and separation in the sanitary sewer main or private services laterals, area drains, window wells, downspouts and sump pumps that discharge directly to the sanitary sewer.

The Inspection Process

In an effort to eliminate clear water from entering the sanitary sewer system, the Village conducts Clear Water Inspections of all Mount Prospect properties - commercial or residential. Approximately 800 inspections are performed annually.

What Happens During an Inspection?

A majority of inspections are completed by a contractor hired by the Village. However, some inspections are performed the Mount Prospect Public Works Department.

An inspection for a typical single-family home will usually be completed in less than 15 minutes. Frequently, inspections are completed in conjunction with a water meter exchange. If this is the case, an inspection and meter exchange will take about 45 minutes to complete. The inspection is completely visual. Absolutely no modifications will be made to your drainage systems during the inspections.

The inspector walks around the exterior of the house looking at the discharge points for downspouts and area drains, such as yard, patio, window well, driveway or stairwell drains. He also looks in basement areas or crawl spaces to identify clear water sump and sanitary ejector pumps that may exist and to identify their point of discharge. He will also look in the sump pit to identify the type of construction or whether exterior drains connect to the sump.

Public Works Staff and Village-employed contractors are required to show proper identification when attempting to gain entry into a home. If you have any questions about inspector identification, please call Public Works at 847-870-5640 Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. If issues arise outside of normal business hours, please contact the Police using the non-emergency number at 847-870-5656.

What is the inspector looking for?

The inspector is looking for improper connections to the sanitary sewer system. An improper connection is defined as a connection that allows for clear water to be discharged directly into the separate sanitary sewer system. Clear water should either be going to the storm sewer or allowed to soak into the ground without entering the sanitary sewer.

Specifically the inspector is looking for the following improper connections:

Downspouts that are directly tied to footing tiles or sumps discharging directly to the sanitary sewer and do not discharge overland.
Clear water sump pumps that discharge directly to the sanitary sewer or do not discharge overland.
Waste water sumps that collect sanitary water and clear water from footing tiles, downspouts, etc. and discharge directly to the sanitary sewer. This is commonly known as a combination sump.
Clear water sumps that collect clear water and sanitary water from a slop sink/laundry tub, bathroom, etc. and discharge directly to the sanitary sewer. This is commonly known as a combination sump.
Diverter valves that are installed in your plumbing system that allows your sump pump to alternately discharge to the sanitary sewer or into the yard.
Installed Overflows. Overflows are drain lines connecting a wastewater pump and clear water sump pump. Overflows are installed to provide continued drainage in the event one of the pumps failed. However, the overflows allow for clear water to be discharged the sanitary sewer or wastewater to be discharged outside.

Where Should Water from Downspouts, Sump Pumps, or Other Drains be Directed if it Cannot be Discharged to the Sanitary Sewer?

Village ordinances call for All Sump Pumps and Downspouts to have a fitting at the ground which directs the water in accordance with the following requirements:

The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line.
The point of discharge of any downspout or sump pump shall not be more than five feet (5’) from a foundation.
The point of discharge of any downspout or sump pump shall not be less than five feet (5’) from any lot line.

If your property has been identified as having an improper connection, please refer to the Compliance Process page for information on correcting improper connections and additional details associated with the correction process.

How Will I be Contacted?

The Village or the Village's contractor will attempt to secure a Clear Water Elimination inspection via letter. The process is as follows:

An introduction letter (1st request) will be mailed requesting the resident to schedule an inspection. In most cases, the inspection will be made with the Village's contractor. The letter will identify who to call. In addition, an informational booklet detailing the Clear Water Inspection process will be included. The letter requests that an appointment be made within 10 weekdays.
If an appointment has not been scheduled within 10 weekdays of the first letter a second letter (2nd request) will be mailed requesting the resident to schedule an inspection. In most cases, the inspection will be made with the Village's contractor. The letter will identify who to call. The letter requests that an appointment be made within 10 weekdays.
If an appointment has not been scheduled within 10 weekdays of the second letter the third and final letter (3rd request) will be mailed requesting the resident to schedule an inspection. In most cases, the inspection will be made with the Village's contractor. The letter will identify who to call. The letter requests that an appointment be made within 10 weekdays.

Compliance Process

Why is it Important for Everyone to Remove Improper Connections?
Removal of improper connections will significantly reduce the flow of extraneous storm related water into the sanitary sewer system. As a result, the possibilities of basement flooding due to surcharged sanitary sewers are reduced.
Voluntary compliance is the preferred method to correct improper connections. The prevention of basement backups and flooding is a worthwhile effort and this program can help achieving that goal.
How Do I Fix My Improper Connection?
If an improper connection is identified in your home, you will be notified and advised as to what type of improper connection it is. You will also receive information explaining the various correction methods available. However, it is strongly recommended that you consult a licensed plumber to determine the most appropriate method of resolving your specific problem. If you have general questions, Public Works staff is available to consult with you during regular working hours.
Public Works can also provide a list of local plumbing contractors, but cannot endorse or recommend a specific contractor. The Village suggests you obtain at least three (3) different proposals from area plumbing contractors.
A no-charge plumbing permit is required for all sanitary sewer corrections made in response to a Notice to Correct and may be obtained from the Village's Building Division. The Village Code allows a period of 60 days to correct violations.
Improper Connections
Clear Water Sump Discharging Directly to Sanitary Sewer (Improper Clear Water Sump Discharge)
What is a clear water sump pump? A clear water sump pump is a pump located in the lowest part of your basement that will turn on automatically if the pit/crock that houses the pump starts to fill with water. The pump helps to keep the basement dry. Clear water sump pumps normally receive water from footing or perimeter tile from around the outside of a home.
Where should a clear water sump pump discharge? A clear water sump pump should discharge outside the home at grade. The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line. The point of discharge for any clear water sump pump shall not exceed a maximum of 5' from a foundation. Please review the Village Code section 21.223 for more details on sump pump discharge.
A clear water sump discharging directly to a sanitary sewer is not in compliance with Village Code and is considered an improper connection and must be brought in compliance.
How do I correct my improper connection? The correction involves disconnecting the sump pump discharge pipe from the sanitary sewer and plumb the discharge to the outside (image of proper clear water sump installation). The discharge may also be connected to a storm sewer with approval from the Village Engineer. Please email the Public Works Department concerning the potential of connecting to a storm sewer.
Is a building permit required? Yes. The Village will require that a permit be recorded for the corrective work. There is no charge for the permit. The permit can be obtained from the Building Division of the Community Development Department. The Building Division is located on the second floor of the Village Hall at 50 South Emerson Street. You will need to bring the letter you received or a copy with you or your plumber. Please ask to obtain a “Cross Connection Disconnect Permit.” After the repairs are performed, please schedule the re-inspection with the Village’s contractor; HBK Meter Services at 847/202-4389.
Only an owner skilled in remodeling should modify plumbing or electrical systems. Work should be done in accordance with Village plumbing and electrical codes.
Downspouts Discharging Underground (image of improper connection)
What is a downspout? A downspout is a pipe that directs rainwater from the roof of a house to the ground, typically running down the corners of a building.
Where should a downspout discharge? Downspouts should discharge outside the home to ground at grade. The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line. The point of discharge for any clear water sump pump shall not exceed a maximum of 5' from a foundation. Please review the Village Code section 21.223 for more details on sump pump discharge.
A downspout discharging underground with no visible discharge point is not in compliance with Village Code and is considered an improper connection and must be brought in compliance.
How do I correct my improper connection? Disconnect all downspouts that are discharging underground and reroute them so that they discharge above ground and the clear water flows overland. Downspouts that discharge underground to “pop-ups” (image of a downspout and popup) are allowed but the discharge points must be visible to confirm that there is no discharge flow to the sanitary sewer system.
Is a building permit required? No. If you are simply returning the downspout to discharge to ground, you do not need a permit. However, the correction must be inspected by the Village's contractor, HBK Meter Services. Appointments should be made directly with the Village's Contractor.
Combination Sump Pumps (Combination Sump, Additional Combination Sump)
What is a combination sump pump? A combination sump pump receives waste water from a sanitary waste generator such as a washing machine or laundry tub and also receives clear water from one or more sources such as footing tiles or an open bottom pit/crock. Most commonly, this combined water is then discharged to the sanitary sewer. However, in some cases the combined water has been discharged outside the home to ground.
Where should a combination sump pump discharge? There is no method for discharging combined water (clear water and waste water mixed together) that is in compliance with Village Code. The waste water and clear water must be separated and discharged according to Village Code.
A clear water sump pump should discharge outside the home at grade. The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line. The point of discharge for any clear water sump pump shall not exceed a maximum of 5' from a foundation. Please review the Village Code section 21.223 for more details on sump pump discharge.
Waste water can only be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
A combination sump pump is not in compliance with Village Code and is considered an improper connection and must be brought in compliance.
How do I correct my improper connection? There are a couple solutions to this issue. The simplest is to install a bucket ejector sump pump underneath the laundry tub (image of installed bucket sump). Waste water would discharge directly into the tub and then to the pump. The discharge from this new ejector sump pump would then discharge to the sanitary sewer, while the discharge from the sump pump would be rerouted to discharge into the yard. Homeowners should be cautioned that their basement floor drain will now be discharging to the outside of the house and there should be no sanitary use through this drain.
The second option, which will permit the full use of the floor drain would be to install a separate sump pump and pit, called an ejector pump, for the laundry tub and floor drain. This would then be hooked up to discharge directly into the sanitary sewer.
Both solutions require extensive plumbing knowledge and skill we strongly recommend that this only be completed by a licensed plumber.
Is a Building Permit required? Yes. The Village will require that a permit be recorded for the corrective work. There is no charge for the permit. The permit can be obtained from the Building Division of the Community Development Department. The Building Division is located on the second floor of the Village Hall at 50 South Emerson Street. You will need to bring the letter you received or a copy with you or your plumber. Please ask to obtain a “Cross Connection Disconnect Permit”. After the repairs are performed, please schedule the re-inspection with the Village’s contractor; HBK Meter Services at 847/202-4389.
Diverter valves
What is a diverter valve? A diverter valve is a valve that allows the sump pump to alternately discharge either to the sanitary sewer or outside the home to ground (drawing of installed diverter valves).
Where must the water discharge? The clear water from the clear water sump pump must discharge outside to ground and cannot discharge to the sanitary sewer. The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line. The point of discharge for any clear water sump pump shall not exceed a maximum of 5' from a foundation. Please review the Village Code section 21.223 for more details on sump pump discharge.
The waste water must discharge directly to the sanitary sewer and cannot be diverted to discharge outside.
The installation of diverter valves allowing clear water to discharge to the sanitary sewer or allow waste water to discharge outside to ground is not in compliance with Village code and is considered an improper connection.
How do I correct my improper connection? This improper connection can be simply corrected by removing the sanitary sewer connection and valve, and by piping all of the clear water discharge into the yard. All piping for the flow diversion must be removed. The tees in the sump pump discharge pipe must be removed and permanently replaced with rigid pipe and the connection on the sanitary sewer piping must be permanently capped (drawing of diverter valve removal).
Only an owner skilled in remodeling should modify plumbing or electrical systems. Work should be done in accordance with Village plumbing and electrical codes.
Is a Building Permit Required? Yes. The Village will require that a permit be recorded for the corrective work. There is no charge for the permit. The permit can be obtained from the Building Division of the Community Development Department. The Building Division is located on the second floor of the Village Hall at 50 South Emerson Street. You will need to bring the letter you received or a copy with you or your plumber. Please ask to obtain a “Cross Connection Disconnect Permit.” After the repairs are performed, please schedule the re-inspection with the Village’s contractor; HBK Meter Services at 847/202-4389.
Overflows
What is an overflow? Overflows are drain lines connecting a waste water ejector pump and clear water sump pump. Overflows are installed to provide continued drainage in the event one of the pumps failed. However, the overflows allow for clear water to be discharged the sanitary sewer or waste water to be discharged outside.
Where must the water discharge? The clear water from the clear water sump pump must discharge outside to ground and cannot discharge to the sanitary sewer. The water must be directed either toward the street abutting the property or parallel to or away from the nearest lot line. The point of discharge for any clear water sump pump shall not exceed a maximum of 5' from a foundation. Please review the Village Code section 21.223 for more details on sump pump discharge.
The waste water must discharge directly to the sanitary sewer and cannot be diverted to discharge outside.
The installation of an overflow drain line connecting the waste water ejector pump and clear water sump pump is not in compliance with Village Code and is considered an improper connection.
How do I correct my improper connection? This problem may be solved by cementing one end of the overflow pipe with at least six inches of concrete. At the time of re-inspection, the adequacy of the cementing work will be tested with a hammer to ensure that it cannot be removed later. If the customer has a special concern for pump failure, he may wish to consider installing a backup pump in the sump he is concerned about failing. Battery operated pumps are also available for this purpose as well as small generators.
Only an owner skilled in remodeling should modify plumbing or electrical systems. Work should be done in accordance with Village plumbing and electrical codes.
Is a Building Permit required? Yes. The Village will require that a permit be recorded for the corrective work. There is no charge for the permit. The permit can be obtained from the Building Division of the Community Development Department. The Building Division is located on the second floor of the Village Hall at 50 South Emerson Street. You will need to bring the letter you received or a copy with you or your plumber. Please ask to obtain a “Cross Connection Disconnect Permit”. After the repairs are performed, please schedule the re-inspection with the Village’s contractor; HBK Meter Services at 847/202-4389.