My sump pump drains into my sewer line. Why is this bad?

Question

Both my sump pump and my A/C condensate pump drain into my city sewer drain. I've been told this is bad & illegal but nobody knows why. Anyone?

Answer 1

The main reason local municipalities do not like this and sometimes make it illegal (this is a county issue) is that it adds water to the sewer system that isn't waste water and doesn't need to be treated at the sewer treatment plant.  It can (during heavy rain) overload the system, which sometimes causes the treatment facility to dump untreated waste.

Also there is a concern of backup, having things like this connected to a sewer line may allow sewer "stuff" and gasses to get into you house

Answer 2

The first poster is correct across the board, this can be illegal (and is) in a lot of municipalities.  You have to check local code and the local sewer authority's Sewer Use Ordinance to see in your specific area.

The second poster is correct in that it is not illegal everywhere.  Just be careful because in a lot of places it is for the exact reasons mentioned by the first poster and the reasons for caution mentioned by the second poster.

Answer 3

It's not illegal. You do have to be careful about over flowing the connection from the city sewer to your home, because you will have ALL of that back right up into your home. That would be my only concern for you, because then it will be expensive to do repairs. Usually the city sewer lines can handle it unless you happen to have a flash flood of some sort. Best of luck, and no it's not illegal!