Wastewater Programs

Confined Space Entry Program

The Confined Space Entry Program for the Utility District has been called one of the best in the State.  Comprehensive training for both Water and Wastewater service personnel is performed annually. Complete with a self-contained Confined Space Entry Van,  personnel carry all equipment needed for entry into confined, enclosed spaces which could harbor dangerous fumes, including gas monitors, oxygen masks, tripods, and safety harnesses.

Industrial Surcharge Program

The Industrial Surcharge Program, in which industries and food service facilities are sampled by Badger Laboratories on a regular basis.  Wastewater sampling provides information on the levels of BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand), SS (Suspended Solids), and P (Phosphorous) that are entering the sanitary sewers for treatment at the Sewerage plants.  The individual facility is then charged for surpassing the load limits of BOD, SS, and P.This surcharge enables the Utility District to offset the cost of treatment at the Sewerage Plants.  Steve and the respective Sewerage Plant manager tour each new facility to determine if sampling is required.

Grease Trap Maintenance Program

Also implemented a Grease Trap Maintenance Program, in which he requires all facilities with either grease traps or sand and oil interceptors to submit copies of the facility’s records for cleaning these traps and interceptors.  These records indicate if the facility requires more cleaning, or if the facility needs to be placed on the sampling schedule for the Industrial Surcharge Program.

Televising Program

The Televising Program is another innovative tool that Steve uses.  Sewer mains and laterals are televised by the Wastewater Department.  This televising indicates trouble spots where inflow and infiltration (I & I) of ground and storm water flows into the sanitary sewer system, increasing the flow to the treatment plants, which raises costs for treatment.  The trouble spots are then scheduled for repair or replacement, which eliminates the I & I, thus reducing treatment costs. Televising also indicates corroded or broken laterals.  As the Wastewater Department has a Lateral Repair Fund in place, the bad laterals are scheduled for repair by the homeowner, and the Utility District will reimburse the homeowner 50% of the repair cost up to $2,500 after the repairs have been made.  The Utility District will also pay $300.00 toward the installation of a back-flow preventor valve.