FAQs • Aberdeen, SD • CivicEngage

Why shouldn't I discharge my sump pump water to the sanitary sewer?: Sump pump water from basement sumps is clean water and can / should be pumped outside to the storm sewer. The discharge of sump water puts undue stress on the sanitary sewer system and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sump water adds additional pumping costs and treatment costs that could otherwise be used for replacing sewer lines.

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Wastewater Treatment Plant

1. Where does all of the sewage come from?: Sewage (or more correctly, wastewater) comes from all of the users of the Aberdeen wastewater collection system (or sanitary sewers). Any dwelling, business, or industry located in Aberdeen or connected to the collection system discharges waste to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

2. What items should never be flushed down the commode?: A note from the Water Reclamation (Wastewater) Facility
Don’t be fooled. Flushable items are not flushable!
Many products these days are marketed as flushable. From disposable toilet bowl cleaners to wipes that clean your “bum”. The City of Aberdeen Public Works Department and Water Reclamation Facility (Wastewater Treatment Plant) want you to know that these items can’t be flushed. Some of these items claim they dissolve enough to make it down your toilet but, they re-form once they enter the sewer and can cause sewer back up and damage pumping equipment.
The City of Aberdeen has compiled a list of the items that don’t dissolve in the sewer and can cause sewer backups in your home or neighborhood.
DO NOT FLUSH LIST.
• diapers
• paper towels
• facial tissue
• cotton swabs
• baby wipes
• adult wipes
• medicated hygiene wipes
• hair
• gum wrappers
• candy wrappers
• facial pads
• dental floss
• floss picks
• cigarettes
• cotton balls
• scoops of kitty litter
• women’s hygiene products
• all purpose cleaning wipes
• disposable toilet wand pads
• adhesive bandages
• condoms
• makeup remover wipes
• shower body wipes
Please remember, your toilet is not a trash can.

3. Where can I find the Sewer Use Ordinance?: Chapter 25 of the Revised Ordinances of Aberdeen is commonly called the Sewer Use Ordinance. Sewer Use Ordinance

4. Why shouldn't I discharge my sump pump water to the sanitary sewer?: Sump pump water from basement sumps is clean water and can / should be pumped outside to the storm sewer. The discharge of sump water puts undue stress on the sanitary sewer system and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Sump water adds additional pumping costs and treatment costs that could otherwise be used for replacing sewer lines.