Make sure the discharge hose delivers the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area that slopes away from the house. If the hose outlet is too close to the house foundation or on flat ground, the water may simply recycle to the house drain tile. Don't run sump pump water into a rural septic system because the water may saturate the drain field. In cities, running sump pump water into the sanitary system may overload the system and cause sewage backup, plus it may be illegal. Before pumping, make sure floodwaters have receded and the ground is not saturated with water. Otherwise, outside pressure can collapse the basement walls if basement water is suddenly drained.
FAQ #26508
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Where should I discharge water pumped from a flooded basement?
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- Build a flood dike 4-minute demonstration by Dr. Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Engineer.
- Coastal Hazards documents in the National Sea Grant Library.
- FloodSmart.gov is the official National Flood Insurance Program Web site. Can flooding affect your community?
- DisasterAssistance.gov consolidates disaster assistance information on one Web site.
- Snow/Ice preparedness information.
- Influenza preparedness information.