2009 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Inflow & Infiltration Reduction The City of Gem Lake, like the many communities in the metropolitan area, has spent considerable time and energy managing inflow and infiltration (I/I) within their sanitary sewer collection system. The Met Council (MCES) has implemented a surcharge program which is designed to encourage metropolitan communities to reduce I/I entering their portion of the sanitary sewer collection system. However the City of Gem Lake does not qualify for this program because of the size and small flows generated by the city. While the City has not exceeded the pre -determined maximum peak level established by MCES, it continues its effort to minimize I/I. The City has prepared and is currently implementing an I/I program. The I/I reduction program is used to isolate and prioritize sewer rehabilitation in the sanitary sewer collection system, both on the public and private side of the system. With this in mind, the City conducts both an annual cleaning and a regular closed circuit television inspection. Gem Lake also continues to conduct a sewer rehabilitation program, which includes follow-up inspections in areas with significant I/I potential. The City should develop a program for lateral service inspection and repair. The City currently enforces its city ordinance (#64) that was developed to prohibit illegal connections. The City also encourages voluntary compliance through public education. To reduce infiltration the City annually inspects manholes and repairs any contributing to this problem. In addition to routine maintenance the City has also adopted a plan to replace or repair sewer lines that are cracked and/or in need of repair. The City's operation and maintenance plan was developed in May 2007. The City's O & M plan can be found in the Sanitary Sewer System Plan. Sewer Ordinances The City of Gem Lake has enacted ordinances which regulate individual sewage treatment systems (Ordinance 46) and the operation of the municipal sanitary sewer system (Ordinance 64). Ordinance 4 - ISTS systems Ordinance 46 is designed to protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of Gem Lake by regulating seepage discharges and the location, installation, alternation, operation and maintenance and monitoring of all individual sewage treatment systems (ISTS). Individual sewage treatment systems must be installed in accordance to Chapter 7080 of the Minnesota Rules. The ISTS shall be designed to receive all sewage from the dwelling(s), building(s), or other establishment(s) served by the system, including laundry waste and basement floor drainage. Surface, roof and foundation drainage and other storm water shall not be allowed to enter any part of the system. Not more than one dwelling, commercial, business, institutional, or industrial unit shall be connected to the same ISTS, unless such multiple connections was specified in the application submitted and in the permit issued for the system. No ISTS shall be installed or renovated on lands to which public sewer service is currently available, without a system permit. Within the Urban Service Area, as identified in a Met Council approved a comprehensive sewer plan, SEH7.0 sanitary sewer system plan I page 46