Water & Sewer


DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION - NEW ORDINANCE
Council approved an ordinance to disconnect roof downspouts from the City’s sewer system.  This will reduce the potential for flooding by keeping storm water from entering the City sewer system.  In the case of heavy rainfall, the flow of storm water can overwhelm pipes that are intended for handling sewage.  In many cases, all that is required is to cut off the downspout above ground level and connect it to a plastic sleeve that would divert the storm water out of the sewer system and away from the foundation of the building. Enforcement of these new requirements will begin in six months City wide. This will occur through Certificate of Occupancy inspections when a house is sold or as part of the exterior inspection program that covers the whole City over the course of four years.  

Please use the information below which shows how to disconnect a downspout.  
downspout disconnect

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the City building inspectors at 885-5800.


STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (MS4 Stormwater Discharge Application V1.3) 
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program protects the surface waters of the state by assuring that discharges of wastewater comply with state and federal regulations. Anyone discharging or proposing to discharge wastewater to the surface waters of the state shall make application for and obtain a valid NPDES permit prior to the wastewater discharge.

NPDES permits are required under Section 402 of the Federal Clean Water Act (the Federal Act), as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq., P.L. 92-500, 95-217), and under Part 31, Water Resources Protection, of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (the Michigan Act). Part 31 of the Michigan Act also provides authority for the State to issue NPDES permits. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) administers the NPDES permit program for the State of Michigan.

CLICK HERE to view a copy of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality – Water Resources Division - Stormwater Discharge Permit Application for the City of Grosse Pointe.



KEEP WASTEWATER FLOWING
A brief message to keep wastewater flowing  from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)

With most people staying at home, a reminder to use sewer and septic properly.  SEMCOG encourages you to share in on an important message about toilet paper (yes, toilet paper):

 



2022 WATER QUALITY REPORT, Click Here.



ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE

1.  Cable sanitary sewer
 two times per year. Once in the spring around early April before heavy rain falls occur and once in the fall around mid September. This will reduce the root growth in your sanitary line and reduce the possibility of sewer back up over all and during rain events.

2.  Flushing
*Never flush sanitary napkins or tampons down the toilet.
*Never pour cooking grease down sink drains.
*Use liquid washing machine soap instead of powder.

All the above items can block sewer leads very easily and they are the main cause of sewer back-up (with or without root problems).

3.  Flooded Basements
If basement is flooding, do not continue to use or run items like faucets, dishwasher, showers, baths or toilets. If the main lead from your house is clogged the waste water will come up through your floor drains, into the basement, because it can not reach city main line.

Call Department of Public works before calling a plumber. A city employee will check the city main line for any problems. This is a service we provide to our home owners (24 hours a day / 7 days a week.)

4. Sewer Odors
- Dry traps in basement floor drains can let sewer gas into your home and cause an odor.
- Floor drains with no caps on them can cause sewer odor.
- Sink pipe are pipes that run through your home and out of the roof, if they become clogged that can cause a sewer odor.

If you are experiencing sewer odor, it could mean that your home's main lead is, or is about to back up.

5.  Inspection
There is specialized television camera equipment that can be used to check for problems or conditions in a house lead. Before buying a home or before digging up your sewer for repair or replacement, it is advisable to have this type of inspection completed.