Sump Pumps in Northglenn, CO

Why does the age of Northglenn homes matter for a sump pump?

Northglenn began in 1959 as Perl-Mack's planned community, and much of the housing dates from the late 1950s and 1960s, with some newer infill such as Karl's Farm. In homes that old, a sump pump may have been added later by an owner, and the discharge may run through a basement wall to a spot right beside the foundation, where water soaks back down to the pit. Older basements can also have pits without lids or basins that have cracked. A plumber can check the pump, the basin and the outlet together.

Can my sump water go into the sewer?

It should not. The City of Northglenn maintains about 120 miles of sewer mains and treats wastewater at its own plant in Weld County rather than sending it to Metro Water Recovery. That plant is sized for household wastewater, and homeowners are responsible for their own sewer lateral from the house to the city main. Groundwater pumped into a floor drain or laundry sink loads both. The right place for sump water is outdoors, on a slope that carries it away from the house and off the sidewalk, where it can freeze.

Do I need a permit?

Northglenn's Building Division, run by SAFEbuilt, requires permits for plumbing modifications and for outside water or sewer line repair or replacement. A like-for-like pump swap may not count, but new drain piping or a new discharge through the foundation could. The plumber can confirm before work starts. As for backups, Northglenn's backflow program covers commercial, industrial and multifamily properties; if you want a water-powered unit on a single-family home, ask the plumber what protection the supply line needs. Many owners pick a battery unit instead.

One local note

Northglenn disinfects its water with chlorine rather than chloramine and runs its own treatment plant, so for water main or billing questions, the city is your contact, not Denver Water. For a sump pump, though, the fix is almost always on your side of the meter. Test the pump before spring snowmelt by pouring water into the basin, and look at the outdoor end of the line after a hard freeze to make sure ice has not sealed it.