(Spirit Lake)– A Spirit Lake city official says some residents who were hard hit with flooded basements during last week’s torrential rains could have done some things on their own to alleviate the problem.
Public Works Director Todd Dolphin says he’s been visiting areas with the heaviest damage since last week’s storms. Dolphin says he’s documented numerous incidents in which people have filled in or put up storage or other types of structures on drainage easements.
Dolphin says he’s also encountered incidents where people have filled in or sodded over intakes, creating six to seven foot pools of water in back yards.
Dolphin says the biggest offense he’s found is people who have illegally hooked sump pumps into sanitary sewers. He says there’s nothing that will overload a sewer system faster.
Dolphin says the city will be cracking down on those property owners that have the previously-mentioned violations…especially those with sump pumps illegally hooked into sanitary sewer systems. Dolphin said the city will do some smoke testing to locate violators, and if needed, will even go door-to-door to inspect sump pumps. Anyone that doesn’t comply will be sited for a municipal infraction, punishable by a fine of 500-dollars a day.
Dolphin is calling on the public to help city officials keep drainage intakes clear of debris.
He also says there’s a very effective way of keeping waste water out of your home. You can do that by installing what’s known as a “back flow preventer”. Dolphin says they’re most feasible for new construction…costing about 200-dollars. The cost for existing construction is higher, but he says it will definitely be worth it if it prevents just one backup.
Dolphin says the city is looking into upsizing some storm sewers in certain areas which he admits may be undersized.
