Every homeowner is obliged to dispose of rainwater legally. The penalties for breaking the rules, whether intentional or unintentional, are severe. Inspections have started, so it’s worth finding out what you can and cannot do. The rules are clear. Where is it forbidden to discharge rainwater and what is the penalty for illegal discharge of rainwater? Water from the gutter cannot flow onto a neighboring plot, even an empty one, onto the street or into a ditch. Rainwater should be collected on the plot, e.g. on an unpaved part, in an absorption well or in a retention tank.
Where should rainwater not be discharged? Check what to do with water from the gutter
Directing the drain into a ditch or the street is a common, illegal mistake, but not the only one. It happens that owners “connect” to the public rainwater or sanitary sewage system. In the event of heavy rainfall, there may be a risk of overloading the network and sewage treatment plants, and consequently even flooding neighboring plots. Additionally, contaminants such as sand, stones or leaves that may enter the sewage together with rainwater may lead to serious and costly failures in the treatment plant. This, in turn, may mean an increase in sewage fees. This ban is discussed, among others, by: Act on collective water supply and collective sewage disposal.
not only do they visit properties to check how rainwater is drained, but they also use quite original methods. They are also very meticulous. Inspectors fill the sewage system with smoke and observe whether smoke begins to rise from nearby gutters. According to officials, the smoke is completely safe. However, it helps to quickly detect irregularities. – After being let into the sewage system, if it begins to rise from the nearby gutter, it becomes clear that it is illegally connected to the network – explained Anita Chudzińska from PWiK in Olsztyn in an interview
What is the penalty for connecting rainwater to sewage? The owner will pay dearly
What if the owner or the PWiK inspector catches the owner illegally discharging rainwater? Pursuant to the already mentioned act, illegal discharge of rainwater and sewage into sewage facilities may result in a fine of up to PLN 10,000. PLN, and in the worst case a prison sentence. Additionally, the court may rule that the property owner will pay PLN 1,000 in damages to the water and sewage company for each month of illegal rainwater discharge.
Source: Gazeta
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