Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls has experienced widespread flooding over the past couple of hours. Many roads are under water causing dangerous situations for citizens and first responders.
We would ask that the public limit travel to only what is absolutely necessary until the water levels go down. There are many vehicles stalled on the roadways and debris that will need to be cleaned up once the storm passes.
Numerous buildings and homes have been either struck by lightning or damaged by water as well. Xcel energy is reporting nearly 5 thousand customers across central and northern Sioux Falls are without power.
The City is also reminding homeowners to ensure sump pumps are draining outside their homes.
“Improperly discharging sump pumps into the sanitary sewer system can result in sewage backups into homes,” says Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works. “It is illegal to attach sump pumps to floor drains or otherwise connect them to the City’s sanitary sewer system.”
Sumps pumps, which remove ground water from homes and businesses, should be discharged into yards or streets. Properly discharged water will enter the storm drainage system where pipes are designed to handle the larger water flows created by the sump pumps and rain runoff. The storm drainage system includes the City’s curb and gutter, street inlets, large diameter drainage pipes, drainage ditches, and detention ponds, which ultimately discharge to the Big Sioux River.
The sanitary sewer system is designed to convey only water from toilets, sinks, showers, dish washers, and laundry machines. The sanitary sewer system includes smaller diameter pipe that ultimately goes to a waste water treatment plant before discharging to the Big Sioux River.
Placing storm water in the sanitary sewer system could lead to sewage backups in your or your neighbor’s basement. Therefore it is illegal in the City of Sioux Falls to discharge groundwater from sump pumps, or any uncontaminated storm water, to the sanitary sewer. If residents are found in violation of these City ordinances, the City Code Enforcement Officer may issue a citation with a fine.
For additional information on proper discharge of your sump pump, please visit the City’s Storm Sewer and Drainage website at www.siouxfalls.org/public-works/storm-drainage.aspx. Questions regarding sump pump discharge should be directed to Public Works Engineering at 605-367-8601.