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).

Eagan is paying for an I/I problem.

Eagan is just one of more than 100 communities whose local sewer systems connect to a regional treatment system owned and operated by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES). MCES treats the wastewater from community systems and charges communities for the amount of wastewater.

Eagan is one of 37 cities the MCES penalizes by imposing an annual I/I surcharge for contributing too much clear water I/I into the wastewater treatment system – upwards of 4.9 million gallons per day that is improperly added into the wastewater by homes, businesses and City utilities. This creates capacity issues for wastewater treatment facilities and can result in overflow going into lakes, streams, ponds, and rivers from system backups during storms.

The City (and its taxpayers) will pay nearly $1.8 million in surcharges. That surcharge could become permanent and continue to increase if something is not done soon to correct these issues. Additionally, failure to correct the problems could lead MCES officials to ban Eagan from giving future development/redevelopment approvals. The City is obligated to address the underlying causes by first identifying the sources of I/I and then working with all stakeholders to fix the problems.

 Additional questions regarding this program can be addressed to the City of Eagan Utilities Division at (651) 675-5200.

Additional Information:

Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Mitigation Program/Policy

City of Eagan I&I City Code

Commonly Asked Questions About I&I in Eagan

2010 Map of  I&I Program Areas

Map of District #1

Map of District #8

Map of District #21

Click here for a direct link to Building Inspections

Inflow & Infiltration Permit Application

Inflow & Infiltration Contractors:

Alternative Repair Methods Contractors

Plumbers

Pipe Layers

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