Inflow & Infiltration

Stormwater seepage can strain the wastewater system and affect your utility bill

The City of Eugene has separate stormwater and wastewater systems. When rain and runoff (stormwater) end up in the wastewater pipes, it can:

1) overload the wastewater treatment plant, requiring a release of untreated overflow into local rivers

2) take up capacity in the sewer pipes and end up at the wastewater treatment plant where it must be treated like sewage, resulting in higher treatment costs

3) require expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system to handle more flow, which costs more money and affects your bill

How you can prevent I/I problems

• Familiarize yourself with your house’s plumbing system and identify the discharge point for roof drains, foundation drains, and sump pump discharges.
• Inspect your sanitary sewer clean out: make sure the cap is on tight and the pipe is not damaged.
• Don’t plant trees or shrubs over or near where your sanitary pipe is buried. Roots can break pipes.
• If you find that your private line is broken, have your line repaired or replaced by a licensed contractor.
• Ask for a sanitary sewer inspection as a contingency from the seller when buying a house to identify any broken pipes.

For more details, take a look at our fact sheet.
Inflow and Infiltration Fact Sheet