Water Distribution & Sewer Maintenance

Water pressure in El Dorado is generally between 30 - 60 psi, depending upon the elevation where you live and the size of the water distribution lines in your area. Water pressure can also be affected by restrictions in plumbing, undersized meters, or plugged faucet strainers. Water pressure leaving the water treatment plant is 90 - 95 psi when the pumps are running. However, the pumps do not run continuously, they cycle on and off to fill the water towers as needed. The elevated storage (water towers) provides pressure when the pumps are not running.

It is illegal to have your sump pump connected to the sanitary sewer. Sump Pumps connected to the sewer system can also add significantly to sewer flows. Storm-water can also enter the sanitary sewer through leaking manholes, cracks in city mains or home sewer service lines, and from outdated roof or foundation drain connections. The additional rainwater added to the normal wastewater flow can overwhelm the capacity of the sewer system causing it to back up or "Surge Charge" into basements causing significant property damage. The City of El Dorado Utilities Division is working to cut down on storm-water infiltration by lining older sanitary sewers to seal leaks and by raising or lining old manholes where groundwater seeps into sewers.

Water in your basement is usually caused by one of two sources, storm-water or wastewater. Storm-water can enter a basement though windows or by seeping through walls and floors. This is normally due to inadequate drainage or grading around a home or malfunctioning sump pump, gutter or foundation drains. Wastewater can enter your basement when the sanitary sewer system becomes overwhelmed by a large rain event causing a sewer backup in your basement plumbing. You can help prevent this problem by making sure your sump pump is not connected to the sanitary sewer system.