Can I dump in the curbside sewer?

[boosTT]

My new house has a curbside sewer for storm water right by my drive way. This is a public sewer and not connected to my house. I'm guessing its illegal to dump my gray water in there? Any one know for sure?

[TomG2]

Wes Tausend wrote:
...

...snip...........
At least the new well would still be drinkable in case some Timothy McVeigh type American terrorist pumped poison backwards into city water, from any one of over a million city faucets. :E

Wes

I don't know why you would think that it would have to be limited to an American terrorist. Thanks for providing such good directions in case there are a few idiots that had not thought of that one.

[Wes_Tausend]

...

Would it be ok to drop a sump pump down a storm drain and water ones lawn with free water? :h
Bet there is no law on that.
As city water goes up in price, I sometimes think about sinking a well anyway.

At least the new well would still be drinkable in case some Timothy McVeigh type American terrorist pumped poison backwards into city water, from any one of over a million city faucets. :E

Wes
...

[westend]

LarryJM wrote:

wmoses wrote:

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
Just gray water? Full of basic natural substances with a little mild cleaning stuff mixed in (hand and dish soap)...Think about what washes into a storm drain -- automotive chemicals and all forms of plant and animal matter along with soap from people washing cars...you decide....not saying it's legal, but I am saying some common sense can answer the question.

Thanks for making this point regarding the ridiculousness of the ordinances that prevents this from happening. I can understand black water but prohibiting gray water is dumb when there is no control on any of the other stuff you mentioned and did not mention but which are not prohibited.

Yep things have really come full circle. We lived in Calif and during the drought in the late 70's we were encouraged to use left over bath, sink and clothes water to water our plants outside.

Personally, I think a lot of the current laws have to do with the "DEGREE" factor when it comes to what we are calling "GREY WATER". You open the door just a little and then it's open to interpertation and individuals, businesses get involved and what was a potential issue not significant because of limited impact, becomes HUGE and a problem that can't be allowed.


Larry

There are some contributing to this thread that don't understand non-point source pollution.
On page 2 of this thread is a link to Milwaukee's regulations and suggestions about storm water drainage and what folks should do to help eliminate the pollution of the storm water.
All of the runoff items listed in the above quotes are mentioned as controllable and ways to deal with them. It is not "ridiculous" to try and control these pollutants and to educate people about what they can do to eliminate them.
At the end of one article on that linked site, there is a phone number to call in Milwaukee if a citizen has questions.

[dodge_guy]

I think we use the flashers for when we dump in the storm sewer!

[LarryJM]

wmoses wrote:

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
Just gray water? Full of basic natural substances with a little mild cleaning stuff mixed in (hand and dish soap)...Think about what washes into a storm drain -- automotive chemicals and all forms of plant and animal matter along with soap from people washing cars...you decide....not saying it's legal, but I am saying some common sense can answer the question.

Thanks for making this point regarding the ridiculousness of the ordinances that prevents this from happening. I can understand black water but prohibiting gray water is dumb when there is no control on any of the other stuff you mentioned and did not mention but which are not prohibited.

Yep things have really come full circle. We lived in Calif and during the drought in the late 70's we were encouraged to use left over bath, sink and clothes water to water our plants outside.

Personally, I think a lot of the current laws have to do with the "DEGREE" factor when it comes to what we are calling "GREY WATER". You open the door just a little and then it's open to interpertation and individuals, businesses get involved and what was a potential issue not significant because of limited impact, becomes HUGE and a problem that can't be allowed.


Larry

[Dyngbld]

NRALIFR wrote:
If you live on a farm is it OK to dump your black tank down a woodchuck hole? :B

:):)

Not on my farm 🙂

But is you want to water my grass with grey water have at it. My septic system leaches out there anyway after it has been "digested" in the septic tank.

This thread got me looking into the laws for this state. The states EPA site said in transcripts from a meating that dumping greywater on the ground is not lawfull, but I have not found any law or ordance prohibiting it.

As far as dumping grey water in a storm drain, I would imagine it is frowned upon in most places.

[NRALIFR]

If you live on a farm is it OK to dump your black tank down a woodchuck hole? :B

:):)

[jake2250]

DO IT!!! Let 'ER GO!!!!! whats the big deal??? No guts no glory!!! Worst case a fine,,,,, not likely,,, first offense,,IF they trace it back to you blame it on vandals!!! hose it down!!! your doing your best!!! Next time,,, do it later at night!!!

[Yardvarkers]

I'm old and grey. And so is my travel triler.:E

[sbowman871]

CKNSLS wrote:
Caution-thread closing ahead!

Bring it. I'm out of popcorn.

[CKNSLS]

Caution-thread closing ahead!

[sbowman871]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

sbowman871 wrote:
I heard that people that use a storm sewer to dump their gray tank also have their marker lights on at night while camping.

I stick an automotive flasher in the trailer pigtail so all the lights on 5vr blink ON OFF ON Off ON Off......

That's even better. Piss everyone off!

[Old-Biscuit]

sbowman871 wrote:
I heard that people that use a storm sewer to dump their gray tank also have their marker lights on at night while camping.

I stick an automotive flasher in the trailer pigtail so all the lights on 5vr blink ON OFF ON Off ON Off......

[CKNSLS]

sbowman871 wrote:
I heard that people that use a storm sewer to dump their gray tank also have their marker lights on at night while camping.

That is funny!