WASTEWATER

No we don't have hippos in our wastewater ponds. I couldn't find a decent picture . . . so . . . we're showing hippos.

FLUSH & NON-FLUSH INFORMATION

Shortages of vital goods such as toilet paper are continuing. It may seem okay to use and flush non-flushable materials such as baby wipes, napkins and paper towels. PLEASE do NOT flush any of these items! The only thing that should be flushed is toilet paper.
 
Flushing anything other than toilet paper can create expensive problems for homeowners and municipal wastewater facilities. Flushing wipes (even those labeled “flushable”) and other non-toilet paper materials causes clogs, backups, equipment and pipe breakages, and in bad cases, can even force raw sewage back into homes. For municipal facilities, the cost to repair these damages is unfortunately borne by the public.  
 
As a reminder, the following products are NOT flushable and must be disposed of in a waste basket:
• Paper towels
• Napkins
• Kleenex and other tissues
• Wet wipes/baby wipes (even those labeled as “flushable”) • Diapers • Feminine hygiene products • Gauze/Band-Aids

WHAT IS WASTEWATER AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

Wastewater is used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activates, surface runoff or storm water, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration. Types of wastewater include: domestic wastewater from households, (also called sewage) or industrial wastewater.

• It's estimated that every resident of a community generates about 50 to 100 gallons of wastewater per day.
• Industrial wastewater is highly variable in volume and contaminants based on the industry.

This video shows water treatment facilities.
​Sleepy Eye uses stabilization pond system.

HOW IS WASTEWATER COLLECTED?

Wastewater is discharged to a collection system (also referred to as a sanitation sewer system). Each home or business has a small-diameter pipe called a service line. This line connects to the collection system - a pipe network that conveys wastewater to a treatment facility.

• It's estimated that every resident of a community generates about 50 to 100 gallons of wastewater per day.
• Industrial wastewater is highly variable in volume and contaminants based on the industry.

Sleepy Eye's Wastewater Information

​Treatment Type: Stabilization Pond System
Capacity of Plant: 700,000 gal/day
Average Demand: 430,00 gal/day
Peak Demand: 2,890,000 gal/day
Usage Charge: Base Charge $12.44 / $1.02 per 100CF of metered water

HOW ARE WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS DESIGNED?

Typically, wastewater collection systems are designed for gravity flow, as this is the most reliable. Occasionally, it's necessary to pump wastewater to a higher elevation via a lift or pumping station. The lift station includes a wet well to temporarily store wastewater and two or more motors to pump it to an elevation where the sewage returns to gravity flow. Two pumps are required in case one fails.

WHO OPERATES AND MAINTAINS THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM?

Sleepy Eye has a Wastewater Department, also referred to as the Sewer Department. The utility is staffed with appropriately licensed employees that manage the sewer system.
Duties include:

• Regular checks of lift stations
• Annual wet well cleaning and periodic maintenance of lift stations
  
• Jetting (high-pressure water), cleaning, and televising all collection system pipes
  
• Minor repairs to the collection system
  

HOW ARE SEWER SYSTEMS PAID FOR?

Sources of revenue to construct, operate, and maintain wastewater systems include:

• User Fees
  Nearly all Minnesota communities charge for sewer based on monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly meter readings.
  Sleepy Eye charges a monthly user fee based on usage.
  
• Sewer Hook-up Fee
  Many communities require some type of hook-up fee, or sewer availability charge, payment when a new user connects to the system. Sleepy Eye does require a hook-up fee.
  
• Sewer Reconstruction Fee
  Many communities assess the cost, of part or all of the sewer being replaced, to the effected property owners. Example is if a property owner has a lot 50ft wide, and the sewer runs along that 50ft, they would be assessed the cost of replacing that 50ft section of the sewer.
  Sleepy Eye charges residents a monthly reconstruction fee, based on lot size, that is collected and use for reconstruction projects. These projects are usually large street reconstruction which includes the replacing of section of the sewer system.