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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - AUGUST 30, 1999 <br /> <br />f:"\ <br />Ld' <br /> <br /> <br />:::-c <br />Ii I <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Slide #2 presented a monthly flow comparison of sewage entering the MCES sewer systern. <br />Following heavy rains there is a spike in the monthly flow of sewage into their sewer lines. e <br />Some of the flow is infiltration into the system through leaky pipes and manholes. Televising is <br />being accomplished yearly by the Public Works Department to identifY this infiltration. <br />However, much of the flow is believed to be from residential sump pump connections. This <br />results in the sewer lines being taxed to capacity and clean water being unnecessarily trea1ed. <br />Water treatment is paid for by the gallon and consequently, the more clean water that runs <br />through the system, the more the City and residents must pay for treatment. <br /> <br />Slide #3 depicted a prohibited sump pump connection. In this scenario, the sump pump drain is <br />connected directly to the home's sewer pipes, such as the bathroom, laundry or kitchen sink., or <br />through floor drain, rather than plumbing to the outside ofthe house. The contractors who install <br />sump pumps are not as concerned about where the water drains as they are about ensuring a dry <br />basement. <br /> <br />Slide #4 depicted a proper sump pump connection. In this scenario, the discharge pipe is run <br />under the floor joists to the outside the wall. When the water is directed outside, it is important <br />that the line extend beyond the basement excavation area to ensure that the water is not <br />circulating back to the sump pump. The proper connection of a sump pump is relatively simple <br />and the materials are inexpensive. <br /> <br />Mr. Stafford stated that the sump pump inspections would be accomplished as part of the water <br />meter replacement project, beginning later this year. The intent is not to harass residents for . <br />having a prohibited connection. Many residents do not realize that their connections are illegal <br />and the intent is to bring these connections to the attention of the homeowners and provide <br />information on how to properly connect the sump pumps. <br /> <br />Mr. Stafford advised that staff recommends the City Council adopt amended Ordinance #314, an <br />ordinance amending Chapter 28, Section 28-114 of the Arden Hills City Code. If adopted, staff <br />will then publish the amended ordinance, which will become effective on the day following <br />publication. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst pointed out that the proposed ordinance does not establish the illegality of <br />prohibited sump pump connections, as these connections are already illegal. The intent of the <br />proposed ordinance was to codifY the language under which the City can perform inspections and <br />to establish specific penalties for noncompliance. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst invited those present to address the City Council on the proposed ordinance. <br /> <br />Mr. Don Messerly, 3915 Fairview Avenue, stated that his home currently has two sump pumps. <br />One had been sufficient, however, due to a heavy rain storm in 1994, he tiled the basernent and <br />installed an additional sump pump with the correct connection. He stated that this had been a <br />great deal of work and it would have been much easier to simply run the pump drain into the <br />floor drain. He felt that the residents not in compliance should be given a certain amount of time <br />to correct the connections. Ifthe connections are not corrected within the allotted time, then the <br />homeowners should be fined. <br /> <br />e <br />