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<br />Interceptor Master Plan Findings <br /> <br />A comprehensive master plan for these interceptor systems was completed in December <br />2002. One of the more significant findings of the study was that uncontaminated groundwater <br />and rainfall TUnoffwere entering the local collection systems at rates that could overload the <br />interceptor system, This uncontaminated clear water, called Infiltration/Inflow (1/1), is <br />consuming interceptor and treatment plant capacity originally designed to serve future <br />development. During significant rainfall events, portions of the interceptor system are at risk <br />of causing a backup of wastewater into a basement or spilling wastewater into the <br />environment. Under state and federal regulations, any spill or backup is not allowable and is <br />subject to fines, <br /> <br />When a sewer system is overloaded, the sewer becomes pressurized and wastewater can flow <br />back up a house lateral into a basement. Even though the overloading may last only an hour <br />or two, enough time has passed to cause damage and create a health hazard in the low-lying <br />basements that essentially relieve the overloaded system. On occasion, the system becomes <br />so pressurized, the wastewater rises up in manholes and flows out the top of the manhole, <br />The overflow of untreated wastewater into the environment can cause a health hazard and, in <br />some cases, adversely affect the aquatic environment. <br /> <br />Task Force Creation <br /> <br />On April 8, 2003, the Metropolitan Council appointed individuals to serve on the Infiltration <br />and Inflow Task Force, which was chaired by a Council Member, The task force included <br />representatives from 15 communities from across the region as well as a representative from <br />the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. <br /> <br />The task force was charged with reviewing the III issues and formulating and proposing <br />implementation strategies to reduce excessive Infiltration and Inflow (1/1) in local and <br />regional wastewater collection systems. Reporting back to the Environment Committee, the <br />task force met monthly and reviewed information presented by Environmental Services <br />Division staff, who provided facilitation and administrative support. The recommendations <br />and conclusions were arrived at by consensus of the task force members, <br /> <br />2 <br />