Footing Drain Disconnection Program 

What is it? 

A footing drain is a series of pipes around and under your home that moves groundwater and stormwater away from your foundation to prevent it from entering your home. Prior to 1987, homes in Midland were often built to connect their footing drains to the sanitary sewer system. The result: 1) The City's sanitary sewer system becoming overwhemled with water that shouldn't be there, particularly during heavy rain events, which causes sewer back-ups into homes; and 2) the Wastewater Treatment Plant unnecessarily treating clean storm water, which increases wear-and-tear on plant equipment, and increased operational costs, which result in higher rates for utility payers.

A footing drain disconnection program (FDDP) aims to remove clean water from the sanitary sewer system by removing the existing connection between a home's footing drains and the sanitary sewer and redirecting that water to the storm sewer system.

The City of Midland has proposed a footing drain disconnection program for two neighborhoods as part of its Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan. (Get more information on that program here.)

Which homes are included in the program?

Approximately 300 homes in the Moorland and Whitewood neighborhoods are included in this potential program due to sewer flow data collected, modeling done, and experiences with sewer back-ups. 

Click the images below to view larger versions of each map, which include an estimated timeline for work and the map of actual properties slated for program participation.

Whitewood Neighborhood

Map: Project Phase Timeline

Moorland Neighborhood

Map: Project Phase Timeline

Read or watch: Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the Footing Drain Disconnection Program? We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions that can help you better understand how the program works, why it's being proposed, and why your participation is so ciritcal to its success. 

Watch the video or click this link to read the FAQ document.

Neighborhood meetings were held in August and September 2021 with similar information provided at those meetings, We recommend reviewing these materials above, as some information may have changed.

Latest updates: May 2023

Street Reconstruction, Whitewood Phase 1 Public Infrastructure Work Begins May 15

Beginning Monday, May 15, Whitewood Drive will be closed to through traffic from Congress Drive to Waldo Avenue as crews begin street reconstruction project and public-side infrastructure work for Phase 1 of the Whitewood Footing Drain Disconnection Program. Click here for project information.

City Hosts Phase-Based FDDP Meetings

City staff have begun hosting a series of small, informal meetings with residents and approved plumbing contractors to discuss FDDP private property work in more detail. Information will be sent out by letter, with meetings occuring periodically by phase. Click here to view the presentation (PDF).

List of Approved Plumbing Contractors for Private FDDP Work

The City has identified a list of pre-approved plumbing contractors who have been verified as capable of performing a footing drain disconnection within the scope of the current program design. For a detailed description of the FDDP specifications, please click the link below.

• FDDP Project Specifications (PDF)

This list last updated: May 24, 2023