If your home is located within the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), you may be eligible for financial incentives to repair your residential sewer lateral. MMSD also offers incentives for homeowners who disconnect foundation drains, install sump pumps, or remove downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer.
What Is Private Property Inflow and Infiltration?
Unwanted clear water (rainwater and groundwater) can enter the sanitary sewer system in many ways, including leaky pipes, failing pipe connections, and foundation drains, often from private property sources. The sanitary sewer system is designed to handle a certain amount of wastewater. However, when the wastewater is combined with unwanted clear water, the amount of flow can exceed the capacity of the sanitary sewer, causing a condition called “surcharging.” Surcharging of the sanitary sewer system can cause wastewater to back up into basements through the pipe that connects a residence to the municipality’s sanitary sewer main.
Lateral – The pipe that connects the home to the municipality’s sanitary sewer system. A lateral is the homeowner’s property and responsibility.
Infiltration – Clear water leaking into the sanitary sewer system through defective pipes and pipe-joint connections.
Inflow – Clear water flowing freely into the sanitary sewer system through piped connections such as roof downspouts, foundation drains, and other improper cross connections.
The sanitary sewer lateral is often the responsibility of the homeowner. This means if there are basement back-ups related to the lateral’s quality such as roots or a structural failure, the homeowner is responsible for the cost.
Pipe Check Program Requirements
Participants must meet the following requirements to participate in the Pipe Check Program:
- The property is located within the MMSD service area.
- The property is a one- or two-family home.
- There is no income requirement to participate.
- A site visit must be completed by an approved contractor.
- A W‐9 is submitted to MMSD. (Note: The value of the financial incentive is taxable. MMSD will provide a 1099 at the end of the year.)
- A participation waiver must be signed by the homeowner.
- An approved contractor must complete all required work identified during the site visit.
What Does This Mean for the Municipality?
When residents notify the municipality that their sanitary sewer lateral needs replacing, the municipality should inform them about the financial incentives available through MMSD. This can be done by directing them to the MMSD website (link below) or providing the email address: pipecheckinfo@mmsd.com. By sharing this information with residents, the municipality can help them reduce inflow and infiltration in their homes, while also providing access to financial support for the required repairs. For information regarding MMSD’s pipe check program, visit Residential Pipe Check Program | MMSD.
