Show All Answers

1. Do I need to install a sump pump if I do not have one?

No, you do not.

2. Which properties will be inspected during the program?

All residential properties in New Ulm.

3. When will inspections take place?

Inspections will begin in late May 2015 and will continue until all properties have been inspected. Peak inspection months are expected to be from May through August in the following years. Available inspection times will be from 9 am to 7 pm.

4. What happens if I do not have a sump pump?

You still need to have the inspector verify this information during an inspection.

5. What happens if I am not at home when the inspector comes?

If you are not at home or if it is inconvenient at that time, don’t worry. The inspector will leave a door hanger with a number for you to call and set up a convenient time for inspection.

6. What happens if I do not let the sump pump inspector into my home?

You will receive a notice in the mail stating that you have 15 days to schedule an inspection. A surcharge of $50 will be added to your monthly utility bill until your sump pump is inspected.

7. What is the problem with sump pump discharge to the sanitary sewer?

Problems include:

• Backup of wastewater in basements is costly to clean up and creates potential health hazards.
• Millions of gallons of clean water enter the sanitary sewer and unnecessarily increases the costs for treatment at the wastewater treatment facility.

8. Who can I contact to fix my connection?

New Ulm Public Utilities does not fix sump pump connections. Customers may complete the repair themselves, or they can contact a plumber or other home contractor to complete the work.

9. What happens if I do not correct my sump pump discharging to the sanitary sewer?

If during an initial inspection, our inspector determines that your sump pump is discharging to the sanitary sewer, you will receive written notice in the mail stating that you will have 60 days to make the correction. Our staff will then conduct a second inspection to determine if you have made the necessary correction. Failure to comply will result in a monthly surcharge of $50 added to the property’s utility bill.

10. Can I switch my discharge pipe to the sanitary sewer system during the winter months?

No, this will not be permitted. It is recommended that homeowners attach one 6 to 10 foot long 1.5 inch diameter PVC pipe to the house outlet discharge during the winter. This type of system has very little chance of freezing. For extra protection, heat tape may be attached to the pipe.

11. Can I have a bypass valve on my sump pump discharge hose?

No, it is illegal to have a bypass valve on your sump pump discharge pipe or hose. Existing valves must be removed.

12. Do I need a permit to correct sump pump discharge?

No permit is required. However, if you do plan to connect directly into an existing City storm sewer structure or tile line, you will need to get approval from the City Engineering Office.

13. What happens if my drain tile discharges directly into a sanitary sewer main or old tile line?

The inspection program will check for obvious signs of cross connections, but it is not proposed to go into in-depth inspections for these types of connections. These connections used to be a standard practice in house construction, but are no longer permitted. Many older homes are hooked up to old tile lines that may have collapsed or been disconnected.

There is not a clear cost-benefit to the City in identifying and/or correcting these illegal connections, however people who have had problems with back-ups from these types of connections should strongly consider correcting the problem. The City does periodic televising of sewer lines, and may do smoke and dye testing to identify some of these problem systems that affect the municipal sewer system in the future.

14. Where can I run the sump pump hose, and what type of hose works best?

You should run your sump pump hose at least 6 to 10 feet away from your house to avoid it "recycling" back into the house. It is also alright to run it on your front or back yard, or to the street with permission from the City Engineer. Try also to avoid running the water directly onto your neighbor’s property. The City receives numerous complaints from neighbors about wet yards and streets, but this will be difficult to avoid.

Most people use the flexible, black hose that can be moved around easily. This works great most of the time, but please be aware that this pipe’s capacity can be greatly reduced if it is rolled up or extremely curvy, and many people have problems when it is not properly located or unfolded during a storm. It also is not recommended to use this type of hose in the winter. The smooth, white PVC pipe (1.5 inch diameter) has more capacity and works better in situations where you do not need to move the hose around.

15. Who do I contact for more information?

Call our Sump Pump Inspection office at 507-359-8360 or send us an email.