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Water Sense
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Downspout Disconnect
  • Why Should I disconnect?
    During a heavy storm, each downspout on your home can deliver 12 gallons a minute to the sewer system, which can contribute to basement backups and sewer overflows. By simply disconnecting a downspout, you can make a difference in keeping excess water out of the sewer system.
Who Should Disconnect?
Nearly Everyone!
Downspouts that are connected to the combined sewer system and any downspouts illegally connected to the sanitary sewer.

*It's VERY important to check with your municipality to make sure you can legally disconnect and that you disconnect correctly.

How?
  • All you need are a few supplies:
  • hacksaw
  • tape measure
  • hammer
  • screw driver
  • pliers
  • sheet metal screws
  • downspout elbow
  • downspout extension
  • splash block (optional)
  • rubber cap
  • Total cost per downspout should be less than $15.00
Step 1
Contact Your Municipality

Bayside  414-351-8811
Brookfield  262-782-9650
Brown Deer  414-357-0120
Butler  262-783-2530
Caddy Vista  414-762-7878
Cudahy  414-769-2213
Elm Grove  262-782-6700
Fox Point  414-351-8900
Franklin  414-425-2592
Germantown  262-250-4720
Glendale  414-228-1710
Greendale  414-423-2133
Greenfield  414-761-5376
Hales Corner  414-529-6161 		Menomonee Falls 262-532-4700
Mequon  262-242-3100
Muskego  262-679-4128
New Berlin  262-786-7086
Oak Creek  414-768-6547
River Hills  414-352-0080
St. Francis  414-481-2300
Shorewood  414-847-2650
Thiensville  262-242-3720
Wauwatosa  414-479-8932
West Allis  414-302-8379
West Milwaukee  414-645-6238
Whitefish Bay  414-962-6690

In the City Of Milwaukee:
To find out if your home is connected to the combined sewer call: 286-2480
To find out if you can legally disconnect call: 286-3361
Step 2
Measure 9" from where the downspout enters the sewer connection.
Step 3
Cut the downspout with a hacksaw.
Step 4
Cap the sewer standpipe. This prevents water from going in. In most cases, you should be able to use a simple rubber cap secured by hose clamp. You can also use a wing-nut test plug if available cap sizes don't fit.
Step 5
Insert the downspout INTO the elbow (if you put the elbow into the downspout, it will leak). You may need to crimp the end of the downspout with a pair of pliers to get a good fit.
Step 6
Attach a downspout pipe extension to carry water away from the house and foundation. You can use a hacksaw to cut the extension to the desired length. Be sure to insert the elbow into the extension to prevent leaks. Secure the elbow and extension with sheet metal screws. To prevent erosion where the water drains, you can place a splash block at the end of the downspout extension.
You're In Good Company

Across the country, cities have mandated that residents disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system. In Portland, Oregon, tens of thousands of homes disconnected, removing more than a million gallons of water from the sewerage system. That's valuable extra capacity and a very important step in reducing residential flooding. Disconnecting also helps keep our waterways clean by reducing the risk of a sewer overflow. For more information on similar programs and their successes, visit these Web sites: