Regional Wastewater System Capacity for Growth

As communities grow, capacity in the regional wastewater system is needed to serve new homes and businesses.

The accompanying table (link on right) shows the growth that the Metropolitan Council is committed to serve in each community to the year 2010. Capacity is available to serve these 2010 projections, provided that communities comply with MCES standards for peak flows, including non-excessive infiltration or inflow (I/I). I/I is clear water from rain or groundwater that enters the regional system from a community’s sewer lines.

The table also shows that, in some cases, there may be possible short-term development limitations because of shrinking wastewater capacity. One reason may be that excessive I/I restricts the Council’s ability to provide service to additional households.

The table indicates where excessive I/I entering the regional wastewater system could affect the ability of the Council to provide continued services based on the 2010 and 2020 household projections.

Another reason for short-term development limitations may be that a community’s growth is outpacing the remaining capacity, and the community needs additional capacity provided by new improvements constructed by the Council. Shown in the tables are capital improvement projects scheduled by the Council between now and 2020.