9. Pump Tank Access - raising and resealing
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: 9-1-20
To: Mayor, City council
From: Adam Hawkinson, Director of Public Works
Re: FEMA reimbursement fund use
Background:
In March of 2019 there were rains and melting conditions that created flooding c onditions in
the Bliss Addition area and both the 201 Sewer system and ditches were overwhelmed. The
Funds secured by the Director of Public Works and provided by FEMA were to be used to help
correct issues associated with the flooding and to offset the unforeseeable expenses that were
incurred. During the incident it was identified that some pump tank covers were level with the
ground or in low areas in the yards by the lake.
Issue:
There are continued I&I (inflow/infiltration) issues occurring in the Bliss area and replacement
of lids will improve the I&I.
Proposal Details:
PW staff is proposing to replace pump tank lids in the Bliss Addition that are level or low to the
ground with raised castings and reseal them. Without adding spacer rings the elevation change
would be 4” and with a ring it could be 7” or 11”. Soil would be added around the new covers to
create an easy slope away from them to meet the rest of the grade in the yard. The areas would
be seeded and covered with a seed blanket. Residents would be free to remove the blanket
after the seed had established. Residents in which the covers would be modified will be notified
of the work to be performed by a letter and have a week to respond if they had questions or
concerns. Replacement costs are $277 each. There will be some soil and sealing products
needed as well.
Addresses:
4 in AE – Norell_18610, 18590, 18460, 18440 – can do more if increase costs approved
14 in the Bliss area: Layton_ 18794, 18785, 18965, 19005, 18886, 18834, 18905, 18960, 18919,
18941, 18997, Langly_ 18659, 18509, Langly Ct. 18616.
Fiscal Impact:
A portion of the $16,000 in FEMA funds would be used. PW staff has calculated the funds
needed for the lid replacement project to be $5,000 if 18 covers are replaced.
Options:
1.) Allow PW to proceed with the proposal to replace 18 lids this year.
2.) Don’t move forward with the proposal
Recommendation:
Option #1
Cover to replace and raise pump tank lids
August 28th, 2020
Residents of the Bliss and Anderson Erickson Sewer systems,
Your septic system is a part of the Big Marine Sewer System which the City owns and
maintains. The system has infiltration and inflow (I&I) issues which is caused by water
running into the system through natural means such as rain and snow melt in the spring.
The I&I issues cause the system to run more often, use more electrical power, and reduce
capacity of the system. You, as the users, pay the fees to cover the extra costs. The City is
working toward minimizing the I&I issues of the system. Much of the infiltration is due
to old seals and access lids on pump tanks. It has been determined that raising your pump
tank access lid would benefit in relieving the system of some of the I&I issues.
City staff will remove the existing access lid and replace it with a steel casting and lid.
There will be a new seal applied as the casting is set on the old rings. The difference in
height change will be 4-6” from the current height of the access lid. City staff will add
soil, taper the soil away from the new access casting, rake, and seed the damaged area. It
is anticipated that no machinery will need to be driven onto properties. Work is planned
to begin the third week in September. Public works staff will notify you the week we will
be working in your area. No action is required from you.
Please contact me at (651) 433-5223 or a.hawkinson@ci.scandia.mn.us if you have any
questions.
Adam Hawkinson
Adam Hawkinson
Director of Public Works