11-22-1999 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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BASIC SEWAGE TREATMENT CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES The Comprehensive Sewer Policy Plan is an integral part of Orono's Community Management Plan. Although the statistics and detailed policies apply specifically to this one element of community planning, the overall goals and objectives have been derived from joint and concurrent consideration of all community planning elements. Therefore, the policy decisions relating to Orono's sewer service area and facility capacity requirements complement and balance regional plans with local concerns for historic development patterns, environmental protection, public health, fiscal responsibility and general land use. The basic responsibility of the City is the protection of its citizens' health, safety and welfare. In terms of sewage treatment, this means that effluent from all occupied premises must be adequately contained, treated and disposed in order to prevent the spread of disease. This goal can be accomplished in a number of technically acceptable methods including in cin eratin g or composting commodes, recyc lin g systems, traditional or innovative septic tank and drainfield systems, package plants, incinerating or composting commodes, recycling svstems.or municipal collection and olT-site treatment. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages and should be evaluated for its merits in each circumstance. There is no particular health advantage of any system over any other provided due care is taken to assure satisfactory final treatment. In addition to the proven technologies using soil treatment systems for on-site wastewater treatment. MPCA Rules Chapter 7080 and its ongoing revisions provide for a number of new and innovative technologies not reiving solely on soil conditions, and provide system performance criteria to assure adequate sewage treatment. A principal goal of Orono's planning program is the protection of natural resources and environmental amenities, particularly the water qualitv ’ of Lake Minnetonka. The major pollutants affecting Lake Minnetonka are contained in sewage effluent and storm water runoff. Orono's sewage treatment policies are directed at minimizing or eliminating both pollution sources. Municipal sanitary sewers have been installed in the urbanized areas of Orono w'here land use density is highest and where proximity to lakeshore and groundwater preclude effective alternatives. The existing facilitieshavesufficient capacity to accommodate infill development ofexisting vacant properties consistent with expected population increases. Major redevelopment to higher urban density, or expansion of urbanization into the rural area, will not occur because of the proximity to L.ake Minnetonka and the resultant unacceptable increase of pollutants contained in the storm water runoff as well as the increased quantities and speed of the direct runoff. Lake Minnetonka is replenished solely from storm water runoff, over one third of which flows through the natural filtration system of Orono's rural marshland. In these rural areas, Orono's land use policy is designed to integrate low density residential uses in and among the natural woodlands and marshlands. This density is keyed to the findings of Eugene Hickok in his 1973 Storm Water Impact Investigation prepared for the Metropolitan Council. Careful system design and an effective management program assures proper on-site sewage treatment, recycling of water resources and preservation of the natural marshland filtration system. CMP 6-8