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Sump pump discharge rules in Buffalo, MN

Minnesota · Last checked November 2026

Allowed with conditions

Buffalo prohibits sump pump discharge into the sanitary sewer and treats pump discharge like a downspout: it should drain onto your own yard.

Key facts

Not allowed
Sanitary sewer.
Rule
Treated the same as downspout drainage.

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How it works

Almost every city bans sump pump water from the sanitary sewer, because clean water overloads treatment plants and backs sewage into basements. Where you can send it instead varies: some cities ban street and curb outlets, some allow them in summer only, and some require a storm sewer connection.

  1. Make sure the pump does not drain into a floor drain, laundry tub or sanitary line.
  2. Route the discharge to your yard, far enough from the foundation and the sidewalk that it soaks in.
  3. Do not run hoses across the sidewalk or drill the curb unless the city allows it in writing.
  4. Ask the city about a storm sewer connection permit if your yard cannot absorb the water.

What it costs

Rerouting a discharge line or adding a buried outlet is often a few hundred dollars. A storm sewer connection or a new sump system costs more and usually needs a permit.

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Sources

Last checked November 2026. Programs open, close and change funding every year. Confirm with the city before you hire anyone. Report a change.