The DeKalb Sanitary District is planning to implement a program this month to reduce the problem of sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer system.

District Manager Mike Zima said at a special meeting of the DeKalb City Council Monday that illegal sump pump hookups to the sanitary sewers contribute to problems of sewer backups into residents’ basements.

Sometime during December, the sanitary district plans to publish information about sump pump hookups in area newspapers, Zima said. “Public relations are very important.”

e said 470 homes in the Sunnymeade Hillcrest area will receive questionnaires concerning the type of sump pump hookups they have. The homes will be inspected for illegal hookups even if the questionnaires are not returned, he said.

Sanitary District Trustee Larry Beaty said the Sunnymeade Hillcrest area was chosen because the sewers in the area are in good condition. Water problems would not be “compounded by older sewers” in that area, he said. Sump pump connections are the most likely cause of problems in that area, he said.

“Hopefully, there will not be much objection (to the program),” Zima said. If residents do not allow inspectors onto their property, it might be possible to obtain a “blanket warrant,” he said.

Sixth Ward Alderman Steve Brody said more money might be needed to support public relations efforts for the program. “It would seem to me to be money well spent.”

The sump pump program does not contain provisions to prevent residents from reconnecting illegal sump pumps. Sanitary District Trustee John Hiatt said, “If you’re going to break the law, you’re going to break the law. You’ll get some of that (reconnections), but I don’t think you’ll get a lot.”

Some residents do not think enough is being done to confront the problem. Robert Lane, 115 Charter St., said after a two- to 2 1/2-inch rain, “you have sewer water in the basement. Come on. Fix it.”

Ken Bowden, 205 Laurel Lane, said many people fear the cost of correcting an illegal sump pump connection. The questionnaire also should include information about the cost of correcting illegal connections. The first step should be to seek voluntary cooperation, he said.

Zima said it is “hard to put a timetable” on when the sump pump program will bring results. “I think it’s a cost effective and worthwhile thing to do. It’s no longer optional.”