How Can I Help?

While the City is continuing to address the combined sewer system by closing overflow points and increasing combined wastewater treatment capability, you can help us address the problem at home and work!

Disconnect Your Gutters From the Sewer System

Since the mid-1990s, the City of Lynchburg has managed a Rainleader Disconnect Program.  This program incentivizes home and business owners who disconnect their rainleaders from the combined sewer system.  Separating rainleaders from the sewer system helps reduce the amount of stormwater entering the combined sewer system which then reduces overflows.
 
For any homeowner or business who has not already disconnected their rainleaders and who wish to do so, please call Lynchburg Water Resources at 434-485-7246.  A representative from Water Resources will enroll you in the program, advise you of the rules and procedures, and perform an inspection to determine your property’s eligibility.

Build a Rain Barrel

One way to disconnect your rainleader from the sewer system is to connect it to a rain barrel.  Depending on your roof area, a fifty gallon rain barrel can fill up with as little as 1/10” of rain!  By rerouting that stormwater from the combined sewer system, you help lessen the load on the City’s combined sewer capacity, thus minimizing the chance of a CSO event.  You may even qualify for a discount on your stormwater bill!
 
Learn more about how to build a rain barrel and qualify for a 20% stormwater credit with the City.
 
Water Resources also leads a regularly scheduled rain barrel workshop through the Parks & Recreation Department.  Be sure to check the Parks & Rec Program Guide for workshop dates.

Don't Dump It!

There are other easy ways to help your sewer system and the environment like not dumping cooking oil, fats, oils, grease, paint, insecticides, cleaning fluids, and other hazardous wastes down the drain!  Not only is it difficult for our wastewater treatment plant to process these pollutants, oils and grease can block sewer lines and cause backups and overflows.

• Learn more about how to dispose of fats, oils, and grease.
• Learn more about how to dispose of household hazardous waste like motor oil, paint, insecticides, and antifreeze.

Your Toilet Is Not a Trashcan

Think twice before you flush a wet wipe, paper towel, or shop rag down the toilet!  Our sewer system isn’t designed to handle these kinds of materials.  Although many wet wipes are marketed as “flushable” and paper towels seem like they would dissolve quickly in water, both fail to disintegrate like toilet paper and can clog sewer lines which can cause sewer overflows. Additionally, shop rags never dissolve in water and should never be flushed down the drain.  When in doubt, throw it away!  Only toilet paper should be flushed down your toilet.