CC 08-30-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - AUGUST 30, 1999 2 Slide #2 presented a monthly flow comparison of sewage entering the MCES sewer system. Following heavy rains there is a spike in the monthly flow of sewage into their sewer lines. Some of the flow is infiltration into the system through leaky pipes and manholes. Televising is being accomplished yearly by the Public Works Department to identify this infiltration. However, much of the flow is believed to be from residential sump pump connections. This results in the sewer lines being taxed to capacity and clean water being unnecessarily treated. Water treatment is paid for by the gallon and consequently, the more clean water that runs through the system, the more the City and residents must pay for treatment. Slide #3 depicted a prohibited sump pump connection. In this scenario, the sump pump drain is connected directly to the home's sewer pipes, such as the bathroom, laundry or kitchen sink, or through floor drain, rather than plumbing to the outside of the house. The contractors who install sump pwnps are not as concerned about where the water drains as they are about ensuring a dry basement. Slide #4 depicted a proper sump pump connection. In this scenario, the discharge pipe is run under the floor joists to the outside the wall. When the water is directed outside, it is important that the line extend beyond the basement excavation area to ensure that the water is not circulating back to the sump pump. The proper connection of a sump pump is relatively simple and the materials are inexpensive. Mr. Stafford stated that the sump pump inspections would be accomplished as part of the water meter replacement proj ect, beginning later this year. The intent is not to harass residents for having a prohibited connection. Many residents do not realize that their connections are illegal and the intent is to bring these connections to the attention of the homeowners and provide information on how to properly connect the sump pumps. Mr. Stafford advised that staff recommends the City Council adopt amended Ordinance #314, an ordinance amending Chapter 28, Section 28-114 of the Arden Hills City Code. If adopted, staff will then publish the amended ordinance, which will become effective on the day following publication. Mayor Probst pointed out that the proposed ordinance does not establish the illegality of prohibited sump pump connections, as these connections are already illegal. The intent of the proposed ordinance was to codify the language under which the City can perform inspections and to establish specific penalties for noncompliance. Mayor Probst invited those present to address the City Council on the proposed ordinance. Mr. Don Messerly, 3915 Fairview Avenue, stated that his home currently has two sump pumps. One had been sufficient, however, due to a heavy rain storm in 1994, he tiled the basement and installed an additional sump pump with the correct connection. He stated that this had been a great deal of work and it would have been much easier to simply run the pump drain into the floor drain. He felt that the residents not in compliance should be given a certain amount of time to correct the connections. If the connections are not corrected within the allotted time, then the homeowners should be fined.