When ground water and stormwater enter the municipal sanitary sewer collection system – known as inflow and infiltration (I&I) – treatment systems become less efficient and strained. This additional water costs the municipality and its users in the end. Here are some ways to identify the issue.

What is inflow and infiltration?

Inflow is storm water that enters the sewer system from storm drain connections, roof leaders, sump pumps or through manhole covers.

Infiltration – not directly connected – water that enters the sewer system through leaking joints, cracks and breaks, or porous walls.

How does inflow and infiltration add costs?

I&I water is referred to as “clear water”, distinguishing it from sanitary sewage water. When clear water gets into the wastewater collection system, it gets treated. And when it gets treated it costs money. It also takes up valuable capacity at our wastewater treatment facilities.

The Township has to decide between investing dollars to reduce inflow and infiltration or limiting growth.

Ramara's Action Plan

The high sewage flows relative to water consumption indicate there are significant contributions of inflow and infiltration into our sanitary sewer systems during wet weather events.

To investigate the sources of I&I, we have been taking the following actions:

• Fog testing to identify possible downspout and sump pump connections to the sewer system;
• Sewer main and lateral inspections via video camera and manhole inspections; and
• Door to door sump pump inspections.

In order to reduce excess flows into the Bayshore Village sanitary sewer system, the Township contracted OCWA to develop an excess flow reduction plan which was presented to the Committee of the Whole on March 14, 2022.  A Final Report was completed April 20, 2023 that summarizes investigations done in 2022 and provides recommendations for next steps.

Sump pumps – make the right connection!

Sump pumps cannot be connected into the sanitary sewer system. These connections are in violation of Ramara's Sewer Use Bylaw and it could result in your basement flooding with sewage.

Please make the right connection to protect your home and the municipal sanitary sewer system.

Additional Information