{"id":2520,"date":"2009-06-02T05:00:54","date_gmt":"2009-06-02T12:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blitransfer.wpengine.com\/?p=2520"},"modified":"2017-06-21T14:22:59","modified_gmt":"2017-06-21T19:22:59","slug":"diy-disconnect-downspout-protect-rivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluelivingideas.com\/2009\/06\/02\/diy-disconnect-downspout-protect-rivers\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY: How to Disconnect Your Downspout to Protect Rivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Where do the downspouts off of your house’s gutters flow?\u00c2\u00a0 Do they enter into the city’s sewer system?\u00c2\u00a0 For many cities, this is a problem.\u00c2\u00a0 The city of Portland, Oregon<\/a> explains:<\/p>\n

A large part of Portland has a combined sewer system that carries sewage and stormwater runoff in the same pipes. When it rains, the combined sewers fill to capacity and some of the stormwater and sewage mixture overflows to the Willamette River.<\/p>\n

Downspouts on many homes are connected directly the combined sewer system and roof runoff from those homes contributes to combined sewer overflows (CSOs). Disconnecting those downspouts reduces the amount of water entering the system and reduces CSOs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>\n

Image by francis storr<\/a>\"Portland<\/a>
Portland promotes downspout disconnection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Disconnecting your home’s downspouts allows roof water to be used for lawn irrigation and filter pollutants, similar to planting a rain garden<\/a>.\u00c2\u00a0 Just one disconnected downspout can redirect thousands of water a year.\u00c2\u00a0 Over 58,000 homes have disconnected their downspouts in Portland.<\/p>\n

Portland has a Downspout Disconnection Program<\/a> in which incentives are available for DIYers or the city will do the work for free!\u00c2\u00a0 According to the city, the following steps should be followed to safely disconnect your downspouts<\/a>:<\/p>\n

1.\u00c2\u00a0 Observe your property<\/strong>:<\/p>\n