What is the difference between Storm and Sanitary Drain?

Drains can be a little confusing and intimidating, especially for the average homeowner who may not know too much about them. A common question that is frequently asked is, what is the difference between a storm drain system and a sanitary drain system? There are actually quite a few differences between storm drain systems and sanitary drain systems, including their location, the source of the water they carry, and the treatment processes they undergo. To put it simply, a storm drain system and a sanitary drain system differ in the following ways:

Sanitary Drain System

  • Purpose: The sanitary drain system is designed to carry wastewater from your home to a treatment facility where it is cleaned and treated.
  • Source of Water: This system handles contaminated water from various household sources such as bathrooms, sinks, and toilets.
  • Process: The contaminated water is channeled through a series of pipes to wastewater treatment plants, where it undergoes extensive treatment to remove pollutants before being discharged into the environment.

Storm Drain System

  • Purpose: The storm drain system is intended to handle rainwater and runoff from melting snow, directing it away from streets and buildings.
  • Source of Water: It deals with uncontaminated water from the ground and weather conditions, such as rainfall and snowmelt.
  • Process: This water does not require treatment for human waste contamination. It is typically routed through a separate network of pipes and discharged directly into local water bodies like rivers, lakes, or streams.

Key Differences

  • Sanitary sources: Bathrooms, sinks, and toilets.
  • Storm sources: Rainfall, snowmelt, and surface water.
  • Sanitary process: Treatment to remove contaminants.
  • Storm process: Direct discharge due to the absence of contaminants.
In some urban areas, there are combined systems where both stormwater and sanitary wastewater are collected in the same set of pipes. This combined system can sometimes lead to overflow problems during heavy rainfall, as the excessive water volume can surpass the capacity of treatment facilities.

Code Requirements

Current codes require that stormwater systems should not be mixed with sanitary systems to ensure treatment capacity and prevent untreated water from entering the environment. The separation ensures that uncontaminated stormwater bypasses the treatment process, which is reserved for genuinely contaminated sanitary wastewater.

When a plumber arrives, they can quickly determine what type of system they are dealing with—sanitary, storm, or combined—and recommend the appropriate steps to remedy any issues.

Understanding the difference between storm and sanitary drain systems can help homeowners better manage their plumbing systems and respond appropriately to any problems that might arise. Clearly, starting from where the water comes from to what happens to it afterward, there are significant distinctions between these two systems. For more information or assistance with your drains, feel free to contact a professional plumber.

Summary

Understanding the differences between storm and sanitary drains is crucial for proper plumbing maintenance. Sanitary systems carry household wastewater to treatment facilities, while storm systems handle rainwater and runoff, discharging it directly into local water bodies. Compliance with code requirements ensures no mixing of these systems to maintain effective water treatment and environmental protection.

Final Thoughts

If you have more questions or need assistance with your drainage systems, seeking advice from a knowledgeable plumber can provide the solutions you need. Remember, keeping your drain systems well-maintained is essential for a healthy home environment!

Our Reviews On Google

Andrea PimentaAndrea Pimenta
17:45 28 Apr 24
Scope – Clogged drain. Richard was prompt and professional! The work was completed quickly/efficiently. Appreciate your help!!
E OE O
14:50 26 Apr 24
We had a clogged bathroom sink and Alex came on time as confirmed. Fixed the sink quickly. Would highly recommend!
Sohni KaurSohni Kaur
23:09 23 Apr 24
Our flooring contractors damaged the piping to our dishwasher and we needed a plumber to come out ASAP. Richard was super efficient and did a great job at repairing the damage. Would recommend again!
Joseph BelcrediJoseph Belcredi
02:32 23 Apr 24
Roman was great showed up in less than an hour and fixed my sewer backup.
Edward Hon-Sing WongEdward Hon-Sing Wong
16:04 16 Apr 24
Dewayne was excellent. He was prompt, communicated well, and provided great service. Drain was fixed in an instant. I would highly recommended!
Shelagh O'SullivanShelagh O’Sullivan
20:37 25 Feb 24
I was particularly impressed with the work that Richard did. He responded quickly to the call for help, diagnosed the back-up drainage problem in a timely and skilled fashion and took time and patience to ensure my understanding of the problem and solution needed.
David WongDavid Wong
06:11 20 Feb 24
We called at 12AM on Family Day so we really really appreciate the technician coming within 15 minutes. They were professional and friendly. Highly recommended to anyone who needs their service.
linda lilinda li
03:37 05 Dec 23
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Wendy liWendy li
03:11 05 Dec 23
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FAQs About Causes of Basement Flooding

Heavy rains can overwhelm drainage systems and saturate the ground, leading to water seepage through cracks in the foundation or poorly sealed windows and doors.

A sump pump failure during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt can result in water accumulation in the basement, as it’s unable to pump out excess groundwater effectively.

Sewer systems can become overwhelmed during heavy rains, causing sewage to back up into basements through floor drains or toilets, leading to contamination and water damage.

Inadequate grading around the foundation or clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to pool near the basement walls, increasing the risk of water infiltration during wet weather.