Stormwater Management (Inflow and Infiltration)

Rain, snowmelt, and ground water enter the wastewater treatment system in two ways: inflow and infiltration.

• Inflow is when rain gutter downspouts, weeping tiles and sump pumps are connected directly to sewers. During a heavy rainfall, all this water flowing directly into the sewer can be more than the sewer can handle, leading to basement flooding and discharge into the environment.
• Infiltration is when groundwater enters the sewer system through broken or cracked sewer pipes and manholes

All of this water is called "storm water”.