Higher costs mean higher utility rates. The utility ends up treating the extra water, and may even have to increase the size of the treatment plant. The utility may also have to pay fines when raw sewage is released to the environment. Increased utility costs are passed along to consumers as rate increases. You should check to see whether disconnecting your home's downspouts can help solve the problem.
Disconnection is usually a simple, relatively inexpensive process.
Your local sewer system authority or public works department should be able to tell whether your downspouts are connected to the sanitary sewer and, if so, whether disconnection makes sense. You can also let other people know why downspouts need to be disconnected and how sewer overflows cost the entire community. To order a colorful brochure on this topic, including detailed, illustrated steps for disconnecting downspouts, click here.