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Why Should I disconnect?
During a heavy storm, each downspout on your home can deliver 12 gallons a minute to the sewer system, which can contribute to basement backups and
sewer overflows. By simply disconnecting a downspout, you can make a difference in keeping excess water out of the sewer system.
Who Should Disconnect?
Nearly Everyone!
Downspouts that are connected to the combined sewer system and any downspouts illegally connected to the sanitary sewer.
*It's important to check with your municipality to make sure you can legally disconnect and that you disconnect correctly.
How?
All you need are a few supplies:
1.) hacksaw
2.) tape measure
3.) hammer
4.) screw driver
5.) pliers
6.) sheet metal screws
7.) downspout elbow
8.) downspout extension
9.) splash block (optional)
10.) rubber cap
Total cost per downspout should be less than $15.00
Step 1
Contact Your Municipality
Bayside 414-247-7711
Brookfield 262-782-9650
Brown Deer 414-357-0120
Butler 262-783-2530
Caddy Vista 414-762-7878
Cudahy 414-769-2213
Elm Grove 262-782-6700
Fox Point 414-351-8900
Franklin 414-425-2592
Germantown 262-250-4720
Glendale 414-228-1710
Greendale 414-423-2133
Greenfield 414-761-5376
Hales Corner 414-529-6161
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Menomonee Falls 262-532-4700
Mequon 262-242-3100
Muskego 262-679-4128
New Berlin 262-786-7086
Oak Creek 414-768-6547
River Hills 414-352-0080
St. Francis 414-481-2300
Shorewood 414-847-2650
Thiensville 262-242-3720
Wauwatosa 414-479-8932
West Allis 414-302-8379
West Milwaukee 414-645-6238
Whitefish Bay 414-962-6690
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In the City Of Milwaukee:
To find out if your home is connected to the combined sewer call: 286-2480
To find out if you can legally disconnect call: 286-3361
Step 2
Measure 9" from where the downspout enters the sewer connection.
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Step 3
Cut the downspout with a hacksaw.
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Step 4
Cap the sewer standpipe. This prevents water from going in. In most cases, you should be
able to use a simple rubber cap secured by hose clamp. You can also use a wing-nut test
plug if available cap sizes don't fit.
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Step 5
Insert the downspout INTO the elbow (if you put the elbow into the downspout, it will
leak). You may need to crimp the end of the downspout with a pair of pliers to get a
good fit.
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Step 6
Attach a downspout pipe extension to carry water away from the house and foundation.
You can use a hacksaw to cut the extension to the desired length. Be sure to insert
the elbow into the extension to prevent leaks. Secure the elbow and extension with
sheet metal screws. To prevent erosion where the water drains, you can place a splash
block at the end of the downspout extension.
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You're In Good Company
Across the country, cities have mandated that residents disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system. In Portland, Oregon, tens of thousands of
homes disconnected, removing more than a million gallons of water from the sewerage system. That's valuable extra capacity and a very important step
in reducing residential flooding. Disconnecting also helps keep our waterways clean by reducing the risk of a sewer overflow. For more information on
similar programs and their successes, visit these Web sites:
Vancouver, Canada
www.cityfarmer.org
Toronto, Canada
www.city.toronto.on.ca
Portland, Oregon
www.ci.portland.or.us
Chicago, Illinois
www.cityofchicago.org
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