Inflow and Infiltration is a Problem: YOU can help us find the solution. Did you know improperly connected sump pumps and drainage systems are creating a big problem?
“Clear Water” is going to the wrong place
The problem can come from many different places. In our homes and businesses, rainwater can be directed into the sanitary system by an improperly connected sump pump, an improper foundation drain or roof gutter connections directly to the sanitary sewer line. When “clear water”, such as rainwater, ground water or snowmelt, enters the wastewater treatment system, it is known as Inflow/Infiltration (I/I).
Continuing our gains
Eagan recently completed our residential property inspection program to determine and eliminate sources of I/I. The Utility Division completed over 19,000 inspections from 2010-2014, and as a result of those inspections more than 850 repairs were made to help eliminate sources of clear water from the sanitary sewer system. The citizens of Eagan responded to letters in overwhelming fashion to set up and complete inspections and corrections, and have helped the City avoid more surcharges as a result.
The problem of inflow and infiltration is not something we can solve once and be done with. It is an on-going problem that will require continued inspection and mitigation. The City of Eagan is constantly evaluating the publicly owned infrastructure, making repairs and corrections as needed, and monitoring the sanitary sewer flows during rain events to better understand where I/I is coming from. As a part of this continued effort, utility staff will inspect homes for I/I issues, such as sump pumps, beaver boards and other visually recognizable sources of clear water when a water meter inspection or change over occurs.
While other cities in the metro area had peak events in 2014 that led to fines and surcharges levied by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, Eagan did not. Thank you for your help in eliminating I/I from our sanitary sewers. These reductions save Eagan money, protect homes from sanitary sewer backups, and protect the environment from harmful sanitary sewer overflows and bypasses.
Additional questions regarding this program can be addressed to the City of Eagan Utilities Division at 651-675-5200.
Program Documents
Information on Contractors
Background
The Metropolitan Council of Environmental Services (MCES) implemented an Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) Mitigation and Surcharge Program on February 8, 2006. I&I relates to extraneous clean water entering the sanitary sewer system through either ground water (Infiltration) or direct flow (Inflow) such as sump pumps. This excess volume of clean water adds considerable cost to the overall Metropolitan Disposal System (MDS) for both conveyance and treatment.
As a result of a significant 5" rainfall event that occurred on Oct. 5, 2005, the City of Eagan was determined to have had an excessive rate of flow to the Seneca Waste Water Treatment Plant exceeding its peak flow allocation. As a result of this exceedance, the MCES determined that the City of Eagan was required to spend $1,718,500 over 5 years (~$343,700/yr) to either mitigate its excessive I&I, or pay that amount to the MCES for its equivalent expansion of the MDS. MCES enforced this financial obligation through an annual surcharge program beginning in 2007 and scheduled to end in 2012. If excessive flows continue to occur after that date, the annual surcharge will likely become a permanent Demand Charge (in an amount yet to be determined).
The City continuously evaluates the public sanitary sewer system (301.6 miles of pipe, 8,025 manholes and 18 pumping stations) and performs corrective measures as needed. However, to adequately address the excessive I&I, there is also a need to inspect and mandate corrective work in the private sanitary sewer system within the community (19,876 connections).
Program Policy & Code
City of Eagan Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Program Policy & Code
The Program
The private property inspection program has been commonly referred to as the "Sump Pump Inspection Program". Nearly all properties in the City of Eagan have complied with the I/I program requiring an inspection. Moving forward homes, and businesses, will be inspected for I/I violations at the time of their water meter replacement. This ongoing inspection program will help Eagan avoid charges resulting from excess clear water enter the sanitary sewer system.
On September 1, 2009, the Eagan City Council adopted an amendment to City Code Section 3.40 to add Subdivision 10, "Clear Water Discharge Prevention and Prohibition" (attached above).
This amendment prohibits any type of clear water connections or faulty services that allow ground water to enter the system. It also requires all notified property owners to schedule an inspection with the city, or its designated agent(s). This inspection typically takes 10-20 minutes to perform and requires that an adult resident be present at all times. If any repairs are required, a Corrective Work Order will be sent to the property owner/occupant informing them of the required corrective work. All work must be completed within 60 days of the date on the Corrective Work Order mailed to residents. Upon satisfactory completion of the Corrective Work, a Certificate of Compliance will be issued by the City.
If either an inspection is not scheduled, or required corrective work is not completed, within the required time frames, a monthly surcharge will be added to the property owner's utility bill until such time as an inspection is performed and/or all corrective work is completed. (See attached Work Flow Process diagrammatic)
Non-Compliant Enforcement Surcharges
City Code 3.40 (Rules and regulations relating to sewer service), Subdivision 10 (Clear Water Discharge Prevention and Prohibition), Paragraph E (Surcharges) provides for monthly surcharges to be added to the property's utility bill resulting from any cause that results in a lack of a Compliance Certification being issued. The amount of the I&I Surcharge for non-compliance will be established by formal Council action and incorporated into the Annual Fee Schedule. Per the Code, the I&I Surcharge becomes effective for the entire month when the final notice of Non-Compliance was sent to the property owner/resident and every month thereafter until such time that a Compliance Certificate has been issued. Nonpayment of delinquent fees and/or surcharges will be certified to the property's taxes for collection.
City Cost Participation
Other communities' experiences have indicated that the majority of corrective work requirements relate to a simple disconnection and rerouting of a sump pump discharge. However, there have been situations where foundation drain disconnections and/or service lateral repairs become more costly. In respect to the cost savings expected to the City's future sewer billings from the Metropolitan Council, the City Council deemed it justifiable to offer financial participation for corrective repairs to low and medium density residential properties (R-1 & 2).
The City will assume responsibility for 50% of costs incurred by the homeowner for required corrective work (Permit Fees and the cost of a new sump pump not included). To be eligible for a full 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses a homeowner must obtain and submit for review two quotes from competing contractors. The contractors must be licensed by the state of Minnesota. If two quotes are not obtained the reimbursement will be limited to the lesser of 50% of eligible expenses, or $200. If the property owner elects to perform the work through a private contractor, the City will issue payment upon receipt of proper documentation for the City's share, made payable to both the private contractor and property owner. To have a check made out solely to the property owner a lien waiver signed by the contractor will need to be submitted.
Property owners may perform the work personally. While all material costs will be eligible for reimbursement, no time or loss of wages will be eligible for City participation. Tool rentals will be eligible upon review by city staff, but no tool purchases will be included in the reimbursement calculation.
For all reimbursements over $600 a W-9 must be submitted to the City.
City Financing of Property Owner Costs
The Property Owner may elect to have all, or any part, of their actual costs incurred levied as a special assessment against the benefitted property spread over 2 or 5 years and financed at 4% simple interest. This will require the execution of the appropriate Waiver of Hearing and Special Assessment agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions about I & I
General Questions
- Why do I have to have this inspection done and why now?
- The Metropolitan Council is adding a significant surcharge to all metropolitan communities' sewer bills where excessive clear water is getting into the sanitary sewer system (called Inflow & Infiltration – I/I). Eagan recently completed the repairs required by MCES, and is trying to avoid further charges and fees resulting from I/I. The City will continue to find the sources of I/I helping avoid high demand charges in the future. Private property sewer connections are the most likely source of this excessive inflow. Inflow and Infiltration typically occurs through improper sump pump and foundation drain connections.
- How do we fix our I&I problem?
- I & I issues are a big challenge. The City is continuing to identify and correct I/I problems with City owned infrastructure, such as sewer lines, manholes and lift stations, but that reflects 40% of the total sanitary sewer system within the City of Eagan. The privately owned portion accounts for the majority (60%) of the system.
Continued inspection of residential and commercial properties is necessary to locate the other sources of the environmental problem. By performing I/I inspections at the time of water meter replacements city staff can identify I/I sources before they become a problem. This allows Eagan to avoid costly charges resulting from Inflow and Infiltration.
Inspections
- Do I need to be there during the inspection?
- Yes, you or an adult of your household (18 or over) must be present during the entire time (up to 1 hour). The inspector will ask that you sign the inspection report when finished.
- When will you do the inspection?
- You will be sent a letter requesting that you call and schedule a time between 7 am and 3 pm (Monday - Friday).
- I work during the day, so will you be offering weekend services?
- Not at this time. We hope we can find a time that will work for you.
Cost & Financing
- What will this inspection cost?
- There is no cost to the property owner for this I/I inspection. It will be performed at the time of your water meter replacement. This will save both you, and the city time and money.
- What will the repairs costs?
- It is unknown until the inspection identifies what, if any, repairs need to be completed.
- Will the City pay for the repairs too?
- Yes. The City will pay 50% of costs incurred by the homeowner for required corrective work (Permit fees not included).
- Will the City spread the cost on my Utility bill over time?
- No. But the City will spread the homeowner's cost as a special assessment on the property tax for up to 5 years at 4% interest, if so requested.
- What if I don’t schedule the inspection or do the corrective repair work?
- This is a mandatory program under the City Code. Non-compliance will result in a Utility Bill surcharge of $150 per month (single family residential) or $500 per month (non-single family residential) until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
Corrective Work
- What do I do if there is a problem?
- If the inspection identifies any issues, a follow up "Corrective Work Order" will be sent to you listing the required repairs which must be completed within the following 60 days.
- Can I do the work myself?
- Yes. But you must still get a City Permit ($60.00) for a final inspection and issuance of a Certificate of Compliance.
- If I can't do it myself, who can I hire?
- The City will provide a list of licensed plumbers and pre-approved pipe-layer contractors for residents to choose from.
- Where can I get more information?
- Call the City of Eagan Utilities Division at 651-675-5200.