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Point of Sale Website info <br /> <br />Definitions <br />Inflow and Infiltration (I/I) is the excess flow of clear water into the City's sanitary sewer <br />system. Because the sanitary sewer system was not designed to handle this excess clear water, it <br />becomes overloaded during times of high groundwater or heavy rainfall. This can cause <br />basement flooding or bypassing of raw wastewater to local streams and lakes <br /> <br />Inflow is when clear water from illegal connections of sump pumps, downspouts, and foundation <br />drains is channeled directly into sanitary sewer pipes. <br /> <br />Infiltration is when groundwater seeps into sewer pipes via cracks or leaky joints. <br /> <br />Cross Connection. A cross connection is when a portion of the stormwater system is connected <br />to the sanitary sewer system. Often, this is a hose leading from the sump to a laundry tub or a <br />floor drain or a sump pump with a hose emptying into a drain. Cross connections are a <br />significant cause of inflow and infiltration. <br /> <br />Why is I&I a problem? <br />The excess clear water from I/I problems uses sanitary sewer capacity needed for wastewater. <br />The result is sewer backups and increased costs for needlessly putting clear water through the <br />wastewater treatment process. Water that goes down any drain in your house leads to the <br />sanitary sewer system and eventually ends up at a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated <br />before being released back into the environment. Wastewater from Orono travels through the <br />City’s sanitary sewer system to the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is operated <br />by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Division (MCES). MCES treats <br />wastewater for communities in the seven county metropolitan area. The MCES, which provides <br />regional wastewater collection and treatment for the metropolitan area, requires communities <br />with excess I/I to invest in local reduction remedies and to urge compliance, incorporates <br />surcharges for communities with excess I/I. Since sanitary sewer rates are based on the number <br />of gallons that flow through the City sanitary sewer system, treating clear water is costly to <br />everyone. <br /> <br />I/I Inspections Program <br />To comply with MCES directives regarding I/I, the City inspects homes and businesses in Orono <br />to determine if roof drains, foundation drains, sump pumps, and other clear water sources are <br />connected to the sanitary sewer system. The goal of this program is to reduce excessive flows <br />that enter the sanitary sewer system so the City, and its utility customers, won't have to pay <br />MCES surcharges. <br /> <br />Who is subject to an inspection? <br />Those properties connected to the Municipal Sanitary Sewer who do not have a valid certificate <br />of &I Compliance when one of the following situations occurs: <br />