Sump Pumps and Roof Drains

Below is a link to a document explaining why sump pumps and drains connected to the sewer are illegal and how you can correct it.  For more information refer to this document.

TOWN OF ASHFIELD – SEWER USE REGULATIONS

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEWERS AND DRAINS, PRIVATE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL, THE INSTALLATION AND CONNECTION OF BUILDING SEWERS, AND THE DISCHARGE OF WATERS AND WASTES INTO THE PUBLIC SEWER SYSTEM; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF; IN THE TOWN OF ASHFIELD, FRANKLIN COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

4.10: No person shall make connection of roof downspouts, foundation drains, cellar drains, sump-pumps, areaway drains, or other sources of surface runoff or groundwater to a building sewer or building drain which in turn is connected directly or indirectly to the public sewer.  For more information refer to this document.

This is what "flushable" wipes do to our pump station grinder pumps!  You can also see the grease that accumulates at the pump station.  

What not to flush

The Ashfield sewer system is experiencing problems from customers disposing of items down the drain that are not appropriate and against regulations. "Flushable" wipes and anything that is not toilet paper cause problems with our pumps, Grease is a problem at the pump station and in the sewer lines and requires costly clean up.  Grease and oils should be disposed of with solid waste (trash). This can save customers thousands of dollars in expensive plumbing repairs and will avoid polluting the environment.  Produce stickers are another problem in the sewers. They do not decay or breakdown and pass through the system into the sand filters causing problems. Below is a link to document explaining what is appropriate to put down your drains and toilets.  For more information refer to this document.

TOWN OF ASHFIELD – SEWER USE REGULATIONS

5.3: No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged the following described substances, materials, wasters, or wastes if it appears likely, in the opinion of the Superintendent, that such wastes can harm either the sewers, wastewater treatment process, or equipment, have an adverse effect on the receiving stream, or can otherwise endanger life, limb, public property, or constitute a nuisance. In forming his opinion as to the acceptability of these wastes, the Superintendent shall give consideration to the following factors:
(a) the quantities of subject wastes in relation to flows and velocities in the sewers,
(b) materials of construction of the sewers,
(c) nature of the wastewater treatment process,
(d) capacity of the wastewater treatment facilities,
(e) degree of treatability of wastes in the wastewater treatment facilities, and other pertinent factors.

The substances regulated by this section are:
5.3.1: Any liquid or vapors having a temperature higher than 150 degrees F (65 degrees C).
5.3.2: Any water containing fats, waxes, greases, or oils, whether emulsified or not, in excess of one hundred (100) mg/l or containing substances that may solidify or become viscous at temperatures between 32 degrees F and 150 degrees F (0 and 65 degrees C).