Neenah storm and sanitary sewers are designed to recognized engineering standards. However, recent heavy rains have caused high slough, river and lake levels, and saturated soil, which leads to flooded storm sewers. When this happens clear water can find it’s way into the sanitary sewer, and in extreme cases cause a sewerage back-up into basements.

The City has made many improvements to the sewer systems in recent years. During heavy storms, City staff work diligently to avoid basement back-ups by pumping sewerage from the sanitary system in affected areas. However, extreme weather conditions can still cause problems.

Homeowners can install a drain line check valve to prevent back-ups. For an existing house, the estimated cost is $1,000. Most of the expense is for labor to remove a section of the basement floor, uncover the drain, install the check valve, and then repair the basement floor.

The check valve is not fool proof, and there are some circumstances where it may fail to prevent a back up. Still, it will eliminate many of the problems.

A plumbing permit is required for the installation, even if the homeowner does the work. For more details, contact your plumber.

Reminder, homeowners are not allowed to discharge their sump pumps to the sanitary sewer system. The discharge of clear water reduces the capacity of the sanitary sewer and increases the chances of basement back-ups.