Memo- Flooding/Sanitary Sewer ProblemsMemorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Date: August 27, 1997
Subject: Flooding /Sanitary Sewer Problems Update
Area 1 Shady Oak sump pond
Public Works Department
The purpose of this memo is to update City Council on current status of actions
regarding flooding and sanitary sewer backup problem areas. At the August 5 City
Council meeting, staff explained the nature of problems and corrective action taken or
anticipated in each of seven (7) problem areas of the city. This list has since grown to
eight (8) as we've added a local stormwater flooding area at the intersection of 2"
Street NE and Monroe Avenue North. An update of actions taken or underway in each
area follows.
General
A front -page article was written and published in the September /October Hopkins
Highlights. The article pointed out the unusually heavy rainfall of July and the types of
problems it caused, explains the problem of infiltration into the sanitary sewer system,
mentions the city ordinance prohibiting sump or other clear water connections, provides
guidance to residents if they have an improper connection, and asks for resident
cooperation as the city attempts to identify improper connections.
A newspaper column was written by the City Manager and published in the August 27
Hopkins SunSailor. The column explains the July '97 rainfall, the city's response to
problems which surfaced following the July 1987 storms, and the city's intention to
prudently act on the new series of problems associated with this years heavy rains.
Shady Oak pond needs dredging and an outlet. Staff proposes to add dredging of this
pond with a current CIP 1999 ,dredging project for the siltation pond east of the Nine
Mile Cove development project. Dredging will increase storage capacity and reduce
the likelihood of flooding onto private property, 2" Street North or Shady Oak Road.
Flow from a pond outlet was considered in design of the Shady Oak Road storm
drainage improvements south of Excelsior Boulevard. These improvements will be
completed next year as a part of the Excelsior Boulevard reconstruction project.
However, a pond outlet must be constructed as well as some work on the existing pond
areas in the City of Minnetonka just west of Shady Oak Road. Staff plans to pursue
these drainage modifications in conjunction with the year 2000/2001 Shady Oak Road
reconstruction project.
Area 2 Hilltop Park low area
Staff has investigated this low ponding area including a survey of critical elevations. A
lower drain inlet can be installed and connected to an existing storm inlet at the low
point in 4 Street North. Staff intends to complete this work next year and has
budgeted an estimated $15,000 in the 1998 Storm Sewer Utility budget.
Area 3 - alley drainage
Staff intends to increase inlet capacity and reduce the current blockage problem by
installing an additional inlet in this alley or modifying the current inlet grate. Drainage
will still be limited to the capacity of the existing 12" pipe under the alley and 1 Street
North. This work will be done in 1998.
Area 4 - lust north of Maetzold Field
Stormwater: Staff will investigate options of improving drainage from the south end of
the alley to the existing 36" pipe running from the inlets at the south end of 13t Avenue
to Maetzold Field. Specifically, staff wants to provide an overland flow route from the
alley to 13 Avenue. This should not be difficult or expensive but it may involve
relocating an existing private chain link fence. Work should be done this fall or next
year.
Sanitary Sewer: Staff has discussed the specifics of our problem areas with three
engineering consulting firms and requested proposals to study the impact of rainfall
induced flow in this area of the sanitary sewage collection system. The proposals will
include a cost for implementing a sump pump /foundation drain inspection program.
Proposals are expected early next week. If consultant services are used, it would most
likely occur late this fall and next winter. Staff will review the proposals and, of course,
request City Council approval before entering into an engineering services agreement.
In addition, we have begun taking action to determine what, if any, problems may exist
in the pipes which could reduce pipe flow capacity. City utility crews have begun
sodding and /or jetting the critical sewer pipes serving this area. They will document
any pipe restrictions or other problems. The sewer pipes will then be inspected with a
video camera for conditions including: pipe slope, pipe joint condition, roots or other
potential blockage problems. Rodding/jetting should be completed next week with
video inspection shortly thereafter. The last video inspection was done in 1988.
Area 5 - alley drainage area
Staff expects that the proposed 1998 6 Avenue North storm sewer project will improve
drainage from this area. This is because stormwater from the 6 Avenue North/3`
Street intersection must now combine with the water from this alley before it continues
south from 2 Street to 1 Street North. The 6th Avenue project will take the water from
the 6t Ave /3` St intersection and run it directly into the 54" sewer pipe at 6 Ave/1 st St
North intersection.
Area 6 - 6 Ave North /3 Street North area
Staff expects design/construction engineering services proposal by Sept 2" The
scope of the services will include analyzing alternative designs and benefits/costs.
City Council is scheduled to consider approval of engineering services agreement on
Sept 16 Staff anticipates design completion this fall with construction start next
spring.
Area 7 Hobby Acres sanitary sewer backup area
**same as Area 4 (sanitary sewer) above**
Staff has discussed the specifics of our problem areas with three engineering
consulting firms and requested proposals to study the impact of rainfall induced flow in
this area of the sanitary sewage collection system. The proposals will include a cost for
implementing a sump pump /foundation drain inspection program. Proposals are
expected early next week. If consultant services are used, it would most likely occur
late this fall and next winter. Staff will review the proposals and, of course, request City
Council approval before entering into an engineering services agreement.
In addition, we have begun taking action to determine what, if any, problems may exist
in the pipes which could reduce pipe flow capacity. City utility crews have begun
rodding and/or jetting the critical sewer pipes serving this area They will document
any pipe restrictions or other problems. The sewer pipes will then be inspected with a
video camera for conditions including: pipe slope, pipe joint condition, roots or other
potential blockage problems. Rodding/jetting should be completed next week with
video inspection shortly thereafter. The last video inspection was done in 1988.
Area 8 - 2 " Street NE /Monroe Ave North
This is a storm drainage flooding area. During the heavy rains of July the intersection
area flooded as did Alliant -Tech parking lot. The water also backed up onto the
property at 217 Monroe Avenue North. Staff has added this area as needing drainage
improvements from major storms. Investigation will include the drainage ditch running
west and north of this area, including existing culvert pipes, and the parking lot
inlets /piping.
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This July's heavy and frequent rain-
falls overwhelmed the city's sanitary
and storm sewer systems.
The rainfall amounts from the July 1
storm have been experienced only three
other times this century. After the July 1
storm, the heavy rainfalls continued on
already saturated soils, causing severe
runoff and basement infiltration prob-
lems for many residents.
Several low areas in the city collected
excessive rainwater, causing road clo-
sures and flooding in yards, garages and
basements. Residents in some areas of
the city also experienced sanitary sewer
backups.
At a recent City Council meeting, the
city's Public Works Department person-
nel and the city's storm drainage con-
sulting engineer defined problem areas
and explained actions that are underway
to minimize future problems.
Possible problem
One suspected problem is excessive
groundwater infiltration into the sanitary
sewer system. Groundwater enters the
sanitary sewer system through leaking
manholes and pipe joints and from
improper pipe connections, including
those on foundation drain systems, roof
drains or sump pump discharges.
The city checks for leaking manholes
and pipes with . simple visual inspections
and the video taping of the inside of
sanitary sewer pipes. Manholes and
pipes then are typically repaired or
replaced separately or during street
improvement projects.
Improper pipe connections can be
very difficult to locate. During periods
of saturated soil and high groundwater
levels, water flowing from an improper
connection can overload a typical 8 inch
sanitary sewer pipe. An overloaded sys-
tem results in basement sewer backups
in some areas of the city.
City ordinances
City ordinances prohibit anyone from
discharging storm water, groundwater,
roof runoff, yard drainage, or any water
other than sanitary sewage into the sani-
tary sewer collection system.
Help and cooperation needed
If you have an improper pipe connec-
tion to the city's sanitary sewer system
from such things as a foundation or roof
drain or sump pump, please disconnect
it immediately. A competent plumbing
contractor can help you correct this situ-
ation.
By doing this, you help improve the
reliability of the city's sanitary sewer
service for all residents. Elimination of
a single improper connection could have
a tremendous positive impact on areas
of the city susceptible to sanitary sewer
backups.
If you know of or suspect an improper
connection, please report it to Hopkins
Public Works, 939 -1382. The city soon
will be taking steps to identify possible
improper connections. If contacted by
Public Works, please cooperate fully.
Our only goal is to improve service to
all Hopkins residents and businesses.