The City of Yankton would like to remind all home owners that sump pumps need to be pumped outside or directly to the storm sewer system.

Sump pumps may not be discharged to the sanitary system (toilets, sinks, showers, and floor drains in your homes) according to City ordinances.

The sanitary sewer system is designed specifically to carry domestic and industrial wastewater and is operated separately from storm drains. The storm water system, however, is designed to carry the runoff of rain and other water which is washed into city streets and is better designed to handle increased capacity.

In recent events the sanitary system has faced increased volume of wastewater. This requires a higher cost of treamtment and the potential for sanitary sewer backups or emergency discharges from the treatment plant. Discharging sump pumps into the storm water system reduces the treatment costs and the potential for problems within the system itself.