MCES Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) Program
What is Inflow/Infiltration?
Inflow and infiltration is clear water that enters the sewer system from a variety of sources.
- Infiltration occurs when ground-water seeps into sewer pipes through: cracks, leaky pipe joints and/or deteriorated manholes.
- Inflow, the much bigger problem, occurs in direct proportion to the amount of rainfall. Typical sources are storm water, basement sump pumps, and foundation drains illegally connected directly to a sanitary sewer pipe.
What is the Inflow/Infiltration Surcharge Program?
The program resulted from the Council's I/I Task Force, which made up of individuals from cities in the region that served "at large" for at least one year to work on strategies for reducing I/I into the Metropolitan Disposal System.
- I/I Surcharge Program Booklet (pdf)--Rationale for and methodology of the surcharge
- 2011 I/I Surcharge Procedure Manual (pdf)--Additional details and a timeline of key activities related to the I/I Surcharge Program
- 2010 Municipal Grant Program NEW!
- I/I Task Force Recommendations (pdf)
Inflow/Infiltration Tool Box
Tool Box (pdf)--Highlights possible programs and products as solutions for communities to reduce I/I.
Contact Information/Billing
Bills/charges/fees to residents are not sent by the Met Council; resident bills are coordinated by the individual resident's city.
- Property owners should contact their local government unit about charges, fees and other:
- City of Minneapolis Web site (main phone: 612-673-3000)
- City of St. Paul Web site (Public Works: 651-292-6600)
- Local government staff can contact Deb Rose via email.