Sump Pump Discharge Water: Look for Natural Soil Infiltration Whenever Possible

When planning a residential buried sump pump discharge system, simply moving water away from the home's foundation is only part of the equation.

At Pacocha Landscaping Services, we also look closely at where that water will travel once it leaves the home.

Whenever site conditions allow, our preference is to identify a drainage pathway with adequate positive slope and an area where discharged water can naturally spread out and infiltrate back into the soil—ideally before excess water ever reaches the system's final daylight outlet or termination point.

Start by Moving Water Away from the Foundation

One of the first priorities with sump pump discharge water is getting it a safe distance away from the home's foundation.

While approximately 10 feet is commonly used as a starting point, every property is different. Soil conditions, grading, neighboring properties, sidewalks, property lines, local requirements, and the amount of water being discharged should all be considered when determining an appropriate drainage solution.

Once the water has been moved away from the foundation, the next question becomes:

Where should all that water go?

Whenever practical, we like the answer to be: back into the property naturally.

Allow Gravity to Work for You

Positive slope can be one of the most effective tools available for managing residential drainage.

Look for—or, where appropriate, create—a gradual pathway that encourages water to move away from the house and toward an area of the yard capable of safely receiving it.

A properly planned system can use gravity to help distribute discharged water across a larger area rather than concentrating it unnecessarily at one location.

Give the Soil an Opportunity to Absorb the Water

Instead of designing every buried drain with the expectation that all water must travel directly to its final outlet, favorable properties may provide opportunities for some of that water to naturally infiltrate into the surrounding soil along the way.

The effectiveness of natural infiltration will depend heavily upon existing soil conditions, drainage volume, groundwater levels and available space.

The goal is simple: manage the water on the property whenever site conditions reasonably allow it.

Consider Water-Loving Plants

Certain landscape areas can also be improved with plants that tolerate or benefit from periodically moist soil.

Where appropriate, moisture-tolerant trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials can become part of an overall landscape drainage strategy.

This does not replace proper drainage design, but thoughtful planting can help make use of naturally wetter portions of a property while improving the appearance of the landscape at the same time.

When Additional Water Storage Is Needed

Some properties receive considerably more sump pump discharge water than their soil can quickly absorb.

Where soil and groundwater conditions are suitable, one or more properly sized dry wells or underground infiltration systems may provide temporary storage capacity, allowing collected water additional time to infiltrate gradually back into the surrounding soil.

• 

• 

• 

These solutions should always be evaluated based upon the individual property rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all answer.

Keep Discharge Water on Your Property

Just as important as protecting your own foundation is considering where the water travels afterward.

A residential drainage solution should be planned to avoid directing concentrated sump pump discharge onto neighboring properties, public sidewalks or other areas where it could create drainage, icing or nuisance concerns.

Local municipal requirements should also be reviewed before installing or modifying a sump pump discharge system.

Think Beyond the End of the Pipe

A successful sump pump discharge system isn't necessarily about moving water as far or as quickly as possible.

It's about controlling where the water goes.

Use gravity when available. Take advantage of suitable soil infiltration. Consider moisture-tolerant landscaping where appropriate. Provide additional storage when site conditions require it. And above all, develop a drainage pathway that protects the home's foundation while responsibly managing the water within the property.

If you are experiencing a residential sump pump discharge or landscape drainage problem, please consider contacting our team at Pacocha Landscaping Services. We would be happy to evaluate the property and help determine an appropriate solution.

Thank you for visiting our site, and have a wonderful day!

Seasonal Lawn, Landscape & Snow Management

Maintain • Improve • Enhance