Foundation drain into ditch - grandfathered?


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Old 08-27-19, 12:55 PM
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Foundation drain into ditch - grandfathered?

My perimeter foundation drain has been plugged and didn't drain properly. I dug several feet near the ditch where it exits and found a plug and hopefully fixed it. I also found out that the basement drain is tied to that system, and my washer drains into it. I've had people tell me I need to have the washer drain into my septic instead. The previous owner of the house had this setup for 50 years. Am I grandfathered for doing this? Should I install a pump and plumbing to have the washing machine drain into my house septic?
 
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Old 08-27-19, 02:14 PM
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Where does the ditch carry the water to? My washer drains out the side of the hill. In 1992 that was legal providing the run off was 50' or more from any body of water including a roadside ditch. I have no idea if the regs have changed or not. It's never a great idea to have the washer empty into the septic tank. I know folks in town [with septic] that have an extra drain field just for the wash water. My son's house has a separate drain line [and trap] just for his washing machine and kitchen sink. It was installed/inspected about 20 yrs ago.
 
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Old 08-28-19, 01:19 AM
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You need to do some searching on grey water regulations for your state, here in MI it's illegal to dump any grey water into or on the ground.

Anything related to waste these days is not grandfathered!
 
 

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