Sump Pumps Sump Pumps are used to remove storm/rain or natural ground water away from your home. Proper connections and drainage for your sump pump are very important. What is a Sump Pump and How Does It Work?Sump pump systems are designed to protect a basement from flooding and general moisture intrusion by removing clear water that infiltrates into the soil around the basement foundation. Clear water most often refers to rain water, ground water or snow melt water that can enter basements or crawl spaces.The water that drains into the sump must be removed, and this is accomplished with a sump pump, which pumps the clear water away from the house through a drain line. The drain line should direct sump pump water out of your house and onto your yard far enough from the foundation wall to prevent the discharged water from reentering your foundation drain. Sump Pump Systems Should Not be Connected to Public Sanitary Sewer LinesLoudoun Water is required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate clear water from entering sanitary sewers. Clear water enters the sanitary sewers either through infiltration or inflow. 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. As stated in the International Plumbing code, implemented in Loudoun County, Section 1101.3, “Storm water shall not be drained into sewers intended for sewer only.”Why is this a Problem?During a major storm, clear water entering sanitary sewers can increase the flow through the sewer system, causing sewer back-ups which can release raw sewage into homes and the environment. This, in turn, creates health and safety issues that can be costly to resolve. Additionally, clear water that reaches the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is treated unnecessarily. This increases the cost of treatment, reduces the life of the equipment, and may necessitate a WWTP expansion.