Best Practice Action 21.2
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Septic Systems No. 21
Implement an environmentally sound management program for decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 2
Use a community process to address failing septic systems.
- University of MN's Onsite Sewage Treatment Program - expert assistance and a five-step planning process.
- Consider local SSTS program responsibilities when deciding the responsible management entity for city septic systems.
- See requirements for cities and townships that choose to have a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System program.
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Complete Phases I and II of MN Extension's 5-step process (or equivalent data collection, task force formation, goals adoption, options exploration). |
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Complete Phase III (agreement on technology, legal structure); confirm that the county or an entity larger than the city would not be the best responsible management entity. |
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Complete Phases IV and V (implement financing, legal structure, management). |
Who's doing it
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City of Coon Rapids building inspections division requires periodic inspections on septic systems, and often these inspections indicate connection to City sewer is required. Septic tanks that fail annual inspections are condemned by the City Building Official, and the properties are required to connect to City sewer. The City's Septic Ordinance has been updated to set parameters to address a failing system. Chapter 13-500 addresses failing systems or imminent threats. The City requires a pumping report every 3 years which tells them which systems need to be hooked up. A compliance inspection is also required at time of sale for all new purchases.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links: https://library.municode.com/mn/coon_rapids/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13UT_CH13-500TESETRSYRE
For more information contact:
Gregory Brady (City staff) | GBrady@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6475
Partners:
Austin -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
This is completed by the city of Austin's involvement with a Community Wastewater facilitator within the SE MN Wastewater Initiative.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Janet Anderson (Community volunteer) | janetanderson2840@gmail.com | 5072190680
Partners:
Burnsville -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City administers the SSTS program and all provisions of the 2011 SSTS Ordinance. The City has a plumbing inspector that is responsible for administering the ordinance and inspecting the SSTS systems
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Sue Bast (City staff) | basts@ci.burnsville.mn.us | 952-895-4524
Partners:
Hastings -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
We have the rules of the MSTS 7080 to deal with any septic’s that do not pass a compliance inspection
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Tom Bakken (City staff) | tbakken@hastingsmn.gov | 651-480-2375
Partners:
Maplewood -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City of Maplewood has a program that follows the five-step process for addressing failing septic systems developed by the University of Minnesota's Onsite Sewage Treatment Program.
The City of Maplewood also has an ordinance regarding other aspects of Septic Systems from planning to clean up. Since these require permits, the city of Maplewood can help those involved find resources as well as proper guidelines.
The City of Maplewood also has an ordinance regarding other aspects of Septic Systems from planning to clean up. Since these require permits, the city of Maplewood can help those involved find resources as well as proper guidelines.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/10009
For more information contact:
Blank Blank (City Staff) | Blank | Blank
Partners:
Shoreview -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Shoreview’s Development Ordinance regulates individual sewage treatment systems. The City’s individual sewage treatment system ordinance is consistent with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Rule 7080 requirements including inspection and service requirements.
Education efforts include informing individual sewage treatment system users of the proper maintenance and use of their systems.
Education efforts include informing individual sewage treatment system users of the proper maintenance and use of their systems.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.shoreviewmn.gov/pdfs/comprehensive-plan/CPSanitary_Sewer.pdf
For more information contact:
Ellen Brenna (City staff) | ebrenna@shoreviewmn.gov | 651-490-4665
Partners:
Greenstep Advisor
Steven Oscarson, Environmental Specialist, MN Pollution Control Agency: 507-206-2604, steven.oscarson@state.mn.us, https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/septic-systems