R2009-128 AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH SANITARY DISTRICT OF DECATUR

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Backup Prevention There are several sanitary sewer backup prevention devices that are regularly used. The most common devices include stand pipes or plugs on basement drains, check valves in the private service lateral, disconnection of lower level fixtures, automatic valves to close during high surcharge periods, and overhead sewers. Unfortunately check valves often become plugged and stop working. The type of backup prevention device that is used and adopted by many municipalities nationwide as a more reliable correction of the problem is the overhead sewer system(see Exhibit E). Overhead sewer systems disconnect all lower level fixtures from direct access to the City sewers. Fixtures that are below the ground surface are rerouted into a sealed tank; an ejector pump then pumps the wastewater into the sewer. Having all the fixtures that are below grade disconnected and pumped into the sewer removes the likelihood of the sewer backing up into the house. Fixtures that are above the ground elevation generally do not need to be disconnected from the existing plumbing in the home. There are positive and negative features with all the different types of backup prevention devices in common use. The biggest negative feature is that the house waste facilities cannot be used when the system is surcharged. Overhead sewer systems are typically preferred because all the fixtures in the home are still operational during a surcharge event because you are pumping the waste water out of the house. Further, because the overhead sewer ejector pump is in regular use, maintenance is easier to monitor. Lastly, overhead sewers are sealed and "fail safe." The City's Role This resolution would allow homeowners that have experienced previous backups to receive fmancial help from the City to install an overhead sewer system in owner occupied homes. The maximum reimbursable cost for the system is $7,500. It is proposed that the City reimburse the homeowner for 75%of the cost up to a maximum of$5,625 per residence. Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement The Intergovernmental Agreement provides for the District to reimburse the city for 25%of the costs for a homeowner to install an overhead sewer system to a maximum of$1,875 per installation. The District has set aside $25,000 for the current fiscal year(FY 2010) and proposes unspecified funding in future fiscal years. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: There are no known objections to this project. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: Sanitary District of Decatur STAFF REFERENCE: Richard Marley, Public Works Director and Matt Newell, City Engineer. Richard Marley will be in attendance at the City Council meeting to answer any questions of the Council on this item. Page � 3