Sump Pumps in Strasburg, CO

Where can my Strasburg sump water go?

Outside, onto ground that slopes away from the house. Strasburg Sanitation and Water District provides both water and sewer in town, and its sewer lines run in the alleys. The district owns the sewer main, while the homeowner is responsible for the tap and the line from the house to the main. Groundwater pumped into that line through a floor drain or laundry sink is a load you would be paying to carry, so keep it outdoors. On the open, windy I-70 corridor, also make sure the outlet does not spill onto a driveway or sidewalk, where it will freeze. Rural parts of the 80136 ZIP outside the district were not verified; if your home is not on municipal sewer, keep the discharge well clear of the private onsite wastewater system.

Why do newer homes here still have pump trouble?

Strasburg is a railroad-born community becoming a commuter town as new housing goes up. Census survey figures put the median build year at 2001, with about 25% of homes built before 1980. A builder-installed pump in a newer basement may sit unused for months, and pumps that sit can seize or have floats that stick. Builder discharges are sometimes short, dumping water near the foundation where it soaks back to the pit. Testing the pump twice a year and extending a short discharge are two simple improvements that pay off.

Who owns the water line, and does a backup affect it?

The district is responsible for the main and the line to the meter; the homeowner owns the line from the meter to the house, and meter pits usually sit at the front of the home. A water-powered sump backup connects to that line and needs backflow protection, and the district collects annual backflow certifications from customers with assemblies. A battery backup avoids that step and works through power outages. If you have a private well outside the district, a battery unit is the only realistic backup.

A permit note

On the Adams County side of Strasburg, the county's One Stop Permitting Center requires permits for plumbing work. Parts of Strasburg lie in Arapahoe County, whose permit office was not verified, so the plumber can check before work starts.