Reduction of Infiltration

Infiltration reduction goals:

The District’s mission statement includes a goal to always remain the lowest cost provider of  sewerage service in the Fox Valley Area. The District can maintain reduced sewage treatment expenses by superior maintenance of the infrastructure that does not allow ground water to leak through cracks, breaks, or loose castings.

Infiltration reduction project:

Currently, the District is in the 4th year of a 5-year District wide televising, repairing and inspecting project of the entire sanitary sewerage collection system to reduce infiltration/inflow gallons. We are pleased to announce that we have already reduced approximately 30 gallons per minute of infiltration through this project.

Reduction of Inflows

Inflow reduction goals:

The District’s mission statement includes a goal to always remain the lowest cost provider of sewerage service in the Fox Valley Area. The District can maintain reduced sewage treatment expenses by inspection and verifying that all sump pumps discharge clear water into storm ditches, not into the sanitary sewer system.

Inflow reduction project:

Starting November of 2008, the Algoma Sanitary District will begin a mandatory inspection of all homes for proper sump pump discharge.

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  Sump Pump Inflow Inspections Project

Clear water sump pumps are not to be discharged into the sanitary sewer. This clear water inflow is a serious and expensive problem that increases the sanitary flows we pump to our Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. About 32% of our sanitary flows can be attributed to inflows (illegal sump pumps), and infiltration (breaks in pipes). If the District could eliminate all the infiltration/inflow sources, we could save you, the utility rate payers, greater than $70,000 annually in treatment charges billed from the City of Oshkosh. This breaks down to a possible savings of approximately $28 per sanitary sewer connection per year. Resolving this issue helps us to stay the lowest cost provider of sanitary sewage treatment in the Fox Valley area.

 

As you will see on the graph below, there is significant seasonal increase in sewage flows. The sewage flow above the lowest flow month, which for 2007 was July, can be attributed to clear water inflows and infiltration. This increase in sewage flow is directly related to wet weather storm events and to melting snow and ice.

An average residential home creates approximately 200 gallons of sewage per day that goes down your drain. As this sewage exits the home, it is no longer a concern of the homeowner, however, it does become a concern to District staff to safely and cost effectively convey this sewage to the Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant that we jointly own with the City of Oshkosh.

 

What you can expect from the District prior to and during inspections:

• The District will use existing staff for this inspection program. As our inspectors visit homes in the Sanitary District they will be identified by use of a District truck, uniform and name badges with their names clearly typed for your reference.

• Inspection times are from 8:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.The sump pump inspection is expected to take approximately 10 minutes.

• Please note: The District will only show up during the time slot you have previously scheduled with our office. The District will not make any non-scheduled visits.

• The District will send you a mailing to detail the process to enable you to coordinate an inspection time with our Utility Clerk. The letter will be mailed approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to appointment times being available for scheduling.

• After the inspection is complete, the homeowner will receive written confirmation that the sump pump is compliant or not with our ordinance. If the sump pump is not compliant, you will need to bring it to compliance with the Town of Algoma requirements.

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The District requests your cooperation during this project. The District will need access to the sump pump and discharge pipe. The District will levy a fine should a homeowner not allow access to view the sump pump.

In late 2009, District Staff will analyze the results of this program to verify reduction in sewage flow. The results will be shared with our community in our 2010 Consumer Confidence Report.

The District looks forward to working with each and every resident to complete this worthy project to a timely and successful end.

Cost for Sanitary Permits for new construction is $150.00

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Properties in the Algoma Sanitary District

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