So far this year, big rains have not hit the Yorkton area, but with thunderstorm season upon us SGI is warning homeowners to protect their properties from sewer backup, a perennial problem in Saskatchewan.
“Homeowners may not realize they are vulnerable – but it’s actually a very common problem in our province, and one you can avoid if you take the proper steps like installing a sewer back water valve,” said Don Thompson, vice president of product management with SGI CANADA.
Heavy rain can quickly overwhelm the sanitary sewer system as thousands in southeast Saskatchewan have learned in recent years.
“In the past five years an average of 5,500 Saskatchewan homeowners insured by SGI CANADA have experienced a sewer back up loss,” a press release stated. “An average pay out is $25,000 per claim, and SGI CANADA paid $140 million in sewer back up claims over the last five years.”
Having a back water valve certainly helps, but the City of Yorkton warns that pumping sump pits into an already overwhelmed city sewer system can also cause flooding.
Last year Council discussed passing a bylaw, but opted to simply encourage people to switch their sump pumps over to pump excess water out into the alleys or streets and into the storm sewer system rather than the sanitary sewer.
Bob Maloney, Yorkton mayor, did not completely rule out a bylaw.
“It might be something we have to look at in the future,” he said.
