Best Practice Action 21.3
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 3
Clarify/establish one or more responsible management entities (RMEs) for the proper design, siting, installation, operation, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems.
- University of MN's Onsite Sewage Treatment Program - organizational options for responsible management entities.
- Consider local SSTS program responsibilities when deciding the responsible management entity for city septic systems. In certain situations a city may wish to grant (back) to the county authority to be the RME for septics within the city.
- See requirements for cities and townships that choose to have a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System program.
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County is the RME; city promotion of MPCA-licensed septic service providers. |
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Management through a subordinate service district sponsored by the city. |
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RME is the city, who monitors system conditions, requires submission of maintenance pumping records, and does compliance inspections. |
Who's doing it
Bloomington -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City’s efforts began in 1991 and have continued through today. With the Collaboration of different Divisions within the City and the residence of Bloomington, the total number of active ISTS systems has reduced to less than 40 households. These systems are currently monitored by the City of Bloomington’s Utilities Division and the Hennepin County Environmental Health Management group.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Steve Gurney (City staff) | sgurney@BloomingtonMN.gov | 952-563-4606
Partners:
Chanhassen -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
The city adopted Carver County's SSTS, which was based on MN state rules and MPCA guidelines, in 2011 and assumed responsibility for monitoring, compliance and inspections. The city added customized setbacks for bluffs and shoreland as well as escrow requirements if inspections can't be done due to frozen soil.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://library.municode.com/mn/chanhassen/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH19WASESEDI_ARTIVSUSETRSY
For more information contact:
Jill Sinclair (City staff) | jsinclair@ci.chanhassen.mn.us | 952-227-1133
Partners:
Mendota Heights -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1999
Implementation details:
The city ordinance that regulates the approximately 40 septic systems in Mendota Heights is identical to that of Dakota County ordinance 113 and meets all Metropolitan Council and MPCA requirements. The ordinance requires inspection of septic systems every 3 years by a person having a current MPCA sewage contractor license. The city works with the county to manage communications and compliance.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Courtney Selstad (City Staff) | cselstad@mendotaheightsmn.gov | 952-457-1735
Partners: Dakota County
Shoreview -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City monitors the condition of the existing individual septic systems. Maintenance pumping records are required to be submitted, and compliance inspections are performed every three years. The low number of private systems in the City is small enough that annual record review is sufficient to insure that system maintenance is being performed by the property owners.
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:
Stillwater -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city of Stillwater building department runs inspections on septic tank connections before they are buried. Washington County monitors the maintenance of septic systems by sending out letters to residents telling them it is time to have their septic tank checked and/or emptied.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Cindy Shilts (City staff) | cshilts@ci.stillwater.mn.us | 651-430-8825
Partners:
Wyoming -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1998
Implementation details:
City of Wyoming Building/Zoning official Fred Weck holds individual certification as a advance inspector by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Cert#C5199 expiring 6-25-2022. Mr. Weck is the City of Wyoming management entity for the proper design, siting, installation, operation monitoring and maintenance of septic systems.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Frances Duncanson (City staff) | fduncanson@wyomingmn.org | 651-272-5504
Partners:
Austin -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City and Mower County rely on local licensed contractors for design, installation, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems. Mower County reviews the designs to make sure they are in compliance with MPCA and County standards. Mower County keeps records of systems that require maintenance and keeps records of those systems; sometimes requiring annual reporting. Mower County also keeps a data base of systems that are in compliance or have received notice of non-compliance or have been abandoned. Mower County's ordinance requires a systematic review of systems when: 1) a bedroom is being added to a home, 2)anytime a permit is requested on a property located within a Shoreland area; 3) any time the property does not meet the minimum lot sizerequirement of the district; 4) any time a complaint is received that is found to be valid of a non-compliant system.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Janet Anderson (Community volunteer) | janetanderson2840@gmail.com | 5072190680
Partners:
Hastings -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
We permit septic installations and do a review of the design, soils, monitoring (if required by code) to Minnesota rules 7080 through 7083 and Dakota County Ordinances
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
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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:
In 2013 the City of Maplewood adopted a new SSTS ordinance that complies with the new rules of the MPCA. The city requires proper permitting for the management, operation, compliance inspections and maintenance of Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=947
For more information contact:
Steve Love (City Staff) | steve.love@maplewoodmn.gov | 651-249-2404
Partners:
Albert Lea -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Freeborn County offers an in depth list of septic service providers in the area. See attached.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jerry Gabrielatos (City staff) | jgabrielatos@ci.albertlea.mn.us | 507-377-4316
Partners: Freeborn County
Apple Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City is responsible for septic system review, permitting and monitoring.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Charless Grawe (City staff) | CGrawe@ci.apple-valley.mn.us | 952-953-2508
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:
Eagan -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
If new build, City ensures systems comply with State and City regulations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Miles Johnson (City Staff) | mjohnson@cityofeagan.com | 651/675-5699
Partners:
Fergus Falls -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Otter Tail County is the entity responsible for the management of these systems.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Len Taylor (City staff) | len.taylor@ci.fergus-falls.mn.us | 218-332-5418
Partners:
Hutchinson -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
McLeod county is the responsible management entity (RME) for the septic systems in the City of Hutchinson.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
John Paulson (City staff) | jpaulson@ci.hutchinson.mn.us | 320-234-5682
Partners:
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1971
Implementation details:
Over 8,700 homes in Scott County rely on a septic system for their on-site wastewater treatment. A septic system is a large and important investment. It is vital that homeowners understand how their system works, and that they do what they can to extend the life of their Septic System. The positive benefits of a properly functioning and long-lasting septic system are both financial and environmental.
All ISTS system installed in Scott County requires a permit/license through Scott County and compliance inspection. Inspection/enforcement of failing systems in Scott County are inspected by the County and not by the City of Savage.
All ISTS system installed in Scott County requires a permit/license through Scott County and compliance inspection. Inspection/enforcement of failing systems in Scott County are inspected by the County and not by the City of Savage.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The number of compliant inspection systems.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.scottcountymn.gov/604/Septic-Systems
For more information contact:
Jesse Carlson (City Staff) | jcarlson@cityofsavage.com | 9528822686
Partners: Scott County
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