sewer back water valves 448 s. college 2/1/1983DEAN BOYER. P. E.
CITY ENGINEER
Ms. Norma Schroeder
448 South College
Salina, Kansas 67401
Dear Ms. Schroeder:
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
300 WEST ASH STREET
P. O. BOX 746
SALINA. KANSAS 67401
AREA CODE 913 827-9481
February 1, 1983
RE: Sewer Back Water Valves
DONALD E. HOFF. P. E.
ASST. CITY ENGINEER
D. W. BASSETT
TRAFFIC ENGINEER
In response to your letter dated January 26, 1983, we offer the
following information.
(1) The Salina Code requires that sewer back water valves (gate
valves) be installed in all residences that have drainage
piping serving fixtures (basement drains, etc.) that are
located below the elevation of the street.
(2) These manually operated valves, when properly maintained,
prevent the sewage that flows in the main public sanitary
sewer lines from "backing up" into basement drains.
(3) There are a number of conditions which can cause the main
public sanitary sewer mains to "back-up" into basement
drains, etc. All of the City's sanitary sewers are depen-
dent upon electric pumps. If a power outage occurs, the
pumps fail to operate and sewage starts to "back-up" into
the lower lines. Any temporary stoppage or clogging of the
main sewer line or large increases in flows due to rainfall
would produce the same result, basement flooding.
MEMBER ... KANSAS LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES - NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES
Ms. Norma Schroeder
Page 2
(4) The conditions you described in your letter are typical
conditions for a large number of residences in Salina.
A number of homeowners have contacted their plumber to
determine if the drain lines in their houses can be modi-
fied so that the sewage plumbing from the main floors can
be separated from the basement plumbing. This would allow
your basement drain to be normally closed. Some plumbers
have also recommended the installation of check valves in
your sewer service line. These valves allow flow in one
direction only, but require periodic maintenance to insure
their correct operation.
We hope this information will be useful to you in arriving at a so-
lution to the back water problem. If you need any additional information,
please contact me.
Sincerely,
i
Don Hoff, P.E.
DH/lb
January 260 1983
Mr. Don Hoff
City Council Building
Salina, Kansas 67401
RE: SEWER BACK UP.
Dear Sir,
I live at 448 S. College, and our floor drain and sewer
line is below the one in the block south. When we have
large rains the street fills up in the 500 block and if
I don't get my drain shut off or am away from home it
backs into my basement. Is there something that can be
installed in the city line at the point of my connection
which will prevent this? Besides the mess, it makes me
leery if I am gone and have not gotten the drain closed.
If you can give me any information of what would be
suitable in this situation I would appreciate it much.
As you know the rainy season will soon be here and I
would like to come up with some preventative measure.
Thanking you,,
Norma Schroeder
448 S. College