Sump pumps illegally connected to the town’s sewer system are costing officials and ratepayers money, according to Water Pollution Control Facility Director Guy Campinha, and soon people caught breaking the bylaw could face stiff fines.

Illegally connected sump pumps, which are generally used to remove water from home basements, added between $15,000 and $20,000 to the recently completed Swifts Beach sewer main repair projected.

Campinha noted that sump pumps themselves aren’t illegal, but they can’t be connected to town sewer, which increases the amount of water treated at the Water Pollution Control Facility unnecessarily.

Construction in Swifts Beach ended last week when the two mains were relined using a process where a fiber glass sock is placed over the mains and then heated to shore up the pipes’ integrity and prevent leaks.

Instead of digging up the street, a fiber glass “sock” coated in non-toxic epoxy will be fitted over the leaking pipe. Steam is then applied to cure the material, encasing the pipe.

The project cost an estimated $199,000 and was paid for with funds from the sewer department’s budget.

Campinha said sump pumps slowed the process considerably because even tough town water was shut off for the project, cold water was still being drawn through the pipes. That water cooled the pipes enough that the steam process was ineffective.

Project contractor Warren Environmental, Inc. will cover the cost, said Campinha. However, the problem of sump pumps still needs to be addressed.

“How do we stop it? That’s the question.” Campinha asked the Board of Sewer Commissioners on Dec. 15. “I suggest we contact communities along the coast with this same problem.”

Cameras designed to inspect sewer mains have uncovered many, many sump pumps are tied into the system, he said.

“Trust me, there’s sump pumps everywhere,” said Campinha.

Sewer Commissioner Peter Dunlop floated the idea of doubling a resident’s sewer bill if a sump pump is found connected.

Currently, Wareham sewer users pay a flat annual $596 per EDU (equivalent dwelling units). A single-family home is charged one EDU, while a two-unit duplex is generally charged two EDUs.

“If we were to set up a policy where we doubled someone's [equivalent dwelling unit] would we be within our rights?” asked Dunlop. “We could make the argument that the person with the sump pump is punishing everyone with sewer.”

Campinha said he wasn’t sure if that was possible, but would consult with the town’s attorney.

In the meantime, Campinha said the Sewer Department is allowed to conduct home inspections to confirm the presence of sump pumps and issue fines to violators. Per town bylaw, those with illegal sump pumps may be fined $300 a day up to a $5,000 total fine. Campinha said he's more interested in making sure residents unhook the pump than issuing fines.

"I don't really want to penalize people," he said. "I just want the water out of the system."

Campinha told the commissioners he would be researching the issue more in depth in the coming weeks and revisit the matter.

“It’s been a problem and it will continue to be a problem,” said Campinha.