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CITY OF PLYMOUTH <br />SUMP PUMP DISCHARGE REDUCTION PROGRAM <br />NINE CITY SURVEY <br />This section contains narratives of nine cities in Minnesota who have successfully <br />embarked or completed an inflow and infiltration program (I&I). <br />Dennis Peterson, Public Works Supervisor <br />City of Rockford <br />City owns Sewer Treatment plant and water treatment plant. During a typical winter day <br />300,000 gallons were being pumped into the system and 330,000 was being treated at <br />10% difference. I and I revealed some seepage, the rest was thought to be from sump <br />pump discharge into the system. This conclusion was made after extensive television <br />monitoring that revealed fresh water discharge from services during the day at some <br />homes. <br />Further study showed that homes that were pumping into the system ranged from 3 cycles <br />or 200 gallons per day to continuous cycling or up to 5000 gallons per day. <br />Not only was this costing the city, the treatment plant itself was running close to capacity- <br />- expansion of the treatment plant would be a major capital project - -$3 million. <br />These facts were presented to City Council along with an inspection program. There was <br />very little opposition or debate either at council meetings or in the media. <br />Inspections were done in house over three months for a total wage cost of $3000 (180 <br />hours). Homeowners were given three months to set up an appointment for inspection, <br />95% complied. Those who did not want to participate in the program would be charged <br />an additional $100 per month. <br />Homes were inspected for compliance. The homeowner was asked whether they had a <br />sump pump, if they said no they were still visually inspected. If a home had a hose system <br />or if it was discharging into the system the owner had two weeks to comply with a hard <br />plumb discharging outside. Finally, the homeowner signed a compliance certificate that <br />mapped the hard plumb and that allowed for random inspection at any date in the future. <br />If an owner was found to have altered their system and were again dumping into the <br />sanitary system they would be fined three times their current rate for 3 months. As of now <br />no out of compliance homes have been noted. <br />Part of these random inspection are done by the meter readers who look for hoses <br />discharging outside (home out of compliance) who know which homes have a sump <br />pump. Random inspections will be done over a three year cycle. <br />Page 102 <br />Page 9 <br />