The City employs a full-time, 3-man crew to inspect and maintain our 63 mile long wastewater collection system, which includes over 1,000 manholes.  The crew is able to inspect and clean the entire system every 2 years along with responding to emergency calls.  The crew utilizes a powerful rodding machine to eliminate roots and other clogs in the system pipes.

In addition, we contract with professional environmental companies to do video inspections of the underground system and clean selected sections with high-powered water jets.  Our goal is to video the entire system every 12 years.  As problems such as broken, sagging, or misaligned pipes are discovered through inspection, various types of repairs are performed.  The most obvious - and most expensive - is when we have to dig out and replace a section of line.  Wherever possible, however, we contract with a specialized company to insert a special, heavy duty lining into the pipes, which helps to alleviate the problem.

We have programs in place to address 2 of the greatest problems of collection systems everywhere - SSO's and I & I.  SSO is an acronym for Sanitary Sewer Overflow; an unpleasant situation where, during high rain events, some singular locations in the system cannot contain both the waste water and rain water.  During an SSO, the water will surcharge, or overflow through a manhole.  Because of the potential public health hazard, residents are strongly encouraged to call Public Works whenever they witness water discharging from a manhole.

I & I - short for Inflow & Infiltration - is a problem in very old systems.  Many parts of our system are 50 to 100 years or more old.  The deterioration of those pipes and manholes allow ground water and surface water to infiltrate into the wastewater system, overtaxing not only the system components, but also the treatment plant facility.  We are battling, and reducing, I & I through the inspection and repair process.

For questions or concerns about our wastewater system please call 673-6297.
     Chickadee Lift Station
     (mouse over for the Lift Station 
       Emergency Generator)
Waste Water Department
         William Runkle
Sewer/Water Utilities Director