Sump Pumps
Sump pumps should never be connected to the
Township sanitary sewer system
In 2021 Bethlehem Township discharged an average of 1,895,775 gallons per day, or 1,317 gallons a minute to the wastewater treatment plant. Along the way flows will encounter pumping facilities specifically designed to handle peak wastewater flow conditions. Pipes are sized to handle these peak flows as well, however the system, including the wastewater treatment plant is not equipped to handle flows that exceed these design parameters. The longer a peak discharge event lasts, the more difficult it becomes to collect, convey, and treat the wastewater.
The sanitary sewer system is designed to collect and convey wastewater only, it is not designed to handle stormwater or groundwater conveyance. Not only are connections to the Bethlehem Township sanitary sewer system a violation of Bethlehem Township Ordinance, these connections cause big problems at neighborhood level, and even regional sewage pumping facilities, as well as the wastewater treatment plant. Sump pumps are designed to pump groundwater and rainwater to the exterior of your home as groundwater recharge, or enter the municipal or private stormwater collection system in your area. Sanitary sewer pipes are designed to carry sewage. Non-wastewater flows are known as "inflow" and "infiltration".
To understand the magnitude of how a sump pump affects the sanitary sewer system, consider that the average residential customer discharges between 100 and 250 gallons of wastewater a day, depending on the number of residential occupants. PADEP "peak flow" design standards, require the ability to meet peak flows at four (4) times the anticipated daily average. This design requirement is meant to meet "peak" wastewater flows, with infiltration consideration, but not continues flows from non-wastewater discharges. A typical ½ HP sump pump purchased at your local hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes or online can discharge approximately 50 gallons per minute. That's 3,000 gallons an hour. During a storm or high groundwater event, some sump pumps will run continually for hours, even days. A single residential sump pump running for 24 hours can discharge almost 72,000 gallons a day. That's 360 times the average daily flow. shockingly, it would take just 26 of the over 9,000 residential customers discharging to the sanitary sewer system to meet the average daily flow alone. From a daily cost perspective, the average daily cost of service (COS) is around $1.96 a day. A residential customer with a sanitary sewer connected sump pump is costing the community as high as $563 a day during an event. Even infrequent discharges create a financial hardship to Bethlehem Township in meeting these types of demands.
The Township as well as the BTMA understand that many customers do not understand the difference between the wastewater and stormwater system and may not put much thought into how it affects the community at large. That's why we are here to help. If you suspect a sump pump condition exists in your neighborhood, or you purchased a home that you believe may be connected to the public sewer system, or simply did not realize, we are here to help correct those conditions. I assure you we rather help you correct a condition than surcharge or even fine a valued customer.
When correcting an illegally connected sump pump, most reputable sump pump installers are well aware that connecting a sump pump, in any community is a violation of that community's laws, and will never make a sanitary connection. Most installers will provide you with all the information necessary to decide, what is best for your specific sump pump project. A municipal wastewater specialist is always available to help, simply by calling 610-814-6476, 24/7/365.
