Waste & Storm Water Disconnect

Did you know that the Town of Drayton Valley has two major water collection systems?

Wastewater vs. Stormwater

Wastewater is everything that needs to be treated before being released back to the environment including water from your toilets, sinks, washing machine, and dishwasher. Wastewater drains from your home from a small line that connects to an underground system called a trunkmain. The trunkmain takes the wastewater to the Water Treatment Plant for processing.

Stormwater is anything that occurs above ground such as rain, snow, or any water that flows above land including your downspouts. This water runs along roadways in the gutter, or overland through parks, and yards, etc. The water is caught by catchbasins, manholes, and ditches that feed into the stormmain collector system. The stormwater system also contains a series of wet and dry ponds that allow for the slow release of the stormwater into natural drainage in the surrounding area. Sand, dirt, silt and other sediments settle into the ponds, and cleaner water returns to the environment.

Wastewater Challenges

Many homes in Drayton Valley have their drainage systems such as eavestroughs and sump pumps incorrectly connected to the Town’s sanitary sewer system. During major rain or snow melt events, this can overload the capacity of the system, and increases risk of backups or flooding in homes and businesses. In addition, this also increases the risk of overflow at the Town’s Water Treatment Plant. In the event of overflow at the Water Treatment Plant, the quality of water can be compromised, as well as allow pollutants to be introduced into our river and outlying environment!

Prevent Backups

There are many things you can do to prevent backups and flooding in your home.

• Ensure your eavestroughs and downspouts are not connected to the sanitary sewer! Instead eavestroughs should be directed onto an area of your property that is at least 1.5 meters from your home (and other residences). Rain barrels, lawns, or rain gardens are all suitable locations. Eavestroughs should be cleaned twice a year to ensure they are clear of debris.

• Sump pumps ensure water from your sump pit is drained to the appropriate locations including storm sewers.

• Weeping tile runs underground along your home’s footing and helps water drain into a storm sewer or dry well.

• Backwater valves can prevent water from backing up into your home through basement outlets. They are designed so the valve will close automatically if water is backing up from the main sewer.

Ensuring your homes drainage outlets are connected correctly will help prevent overloads on the Town’s sanitary systems, and the risk of overflow at our water treatment plant!

For more information, click here.

Watch a video about water disconnect below!

https://www.draytonvalley.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Storm-Water-Disconnect-Video.mp4