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Overview

The purpose of this section is to initiate goals and policies to provide for effective, efficient removal of sanitary sewage for all areas of the City of Hopkins while also protection the health, safely and welfare of our citizens.

Relationship to Comprehensive Plan Requirements

This plan has been prepared in accordance with the current requirement of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act and the content of the sewer element included in the Local Planning Handbook prepared by the Metropolitan Council in 1996.

Water Resources Management Plan

The City of Hopkins is currently revising its surface water management plan. A summary of the new plan is attached – the complete plan will be available in January, 2000.

Sanitary Sewer System – Local

The local sanitary sewer system consists of trunk and lateral sewer lines that collect and carry sewage to the Metropolitan council Environmental Services (MCES) interceptors and lift stations.

Existing System

The majority of the system in an older system with record drawings dated back to 1928 for the downtown area. The majority of the system for the remainder of the city was constructed in the 1940's and 50's. The Hopkins sanitary sewer system currently services all properties within the City. The City is divided into twenty-three-flow district. The sewer system consists of trunk and lateral lines, force mains, manholes and seven lift stations. The system piping consists of vetrified clay pipe, PVC pipe or reinforced concrete pipe ranging in size from 8 inches to 33 inched. The majority of the sewerage flows to a MCES lift station (L27) located at Blake Road and Lake Street where MCES meters the flow. Some sewage flows to a City-owned and maintained lift station located in Meadowbrook Golf Course. This lift station is located in the City of St. Louis Park on City of Minneapolis property.

The City's previous and projected sewer flows are shown in the following table.

Sanitary Sewer Flows
Year Population Flows (MSY)
1990 16,529 700 MGY
2000 16,800 711 MGY
2010 17,200 728 MGY
2020 17,800 740 MGY

System and Maintenance and Improvement

The City has aggressively maintained the sanitary sewer system. The City has implemented a standard jet-cleaning program where all lateral collection piping is cleaned on a six-year cycle. The City has also televised both trunk and laterals to help determine condition and need for maintenance. On each street reconstruction project, the underlying sewer pipes are either televised or existing televising logs are reviewed. Sagging crack or deteriorated pipe segments are then replaces with PVC pipe.

Within the past five years, the City has completed many sanitary sewer improvements. Street and utility improvement projects have been completed each year with sanitary sewer improvements as a component of each project. In 1997, lift station #5 was completely reconstructed. In 1998, a completely new Supervisory Control and Date Acquisition (SCADA) radio monitoring/control system was installed. This control system provides, for the first time, central reporting of alarm conditions from each lift station and the ability to show pumping trends and detect anomalies. Lift station #6 will be completely reconstructed in the year 2000.

Following the heavy 1997 rainfall events, the City undertook a citywide sump pump inspection program. In 1998, the first phase was completed in two areas of the City where there were sewer backups following the 1997 storms. Later this year, inspections will be completed for the rest of the City. These inspections have revealed sump pump installations within sewer backup-prone areas of the City. These clear water connections have been removed and a follow-up inspection program will ensure future compliance with City Codes.

Goals and Policies

Goal

Maintain effective, efficient removal of sanitary sewage for all areas of the City of Hopkins and continue prudent system infrastructure improvements in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of all residents.

Policies

  • Continue to review all sanitary sewer mains and services prior to reconstruction roads.
  • Continue to perform follow-up inspection for clear water connections in "wet" areas of the City.
  • Continue an effective sewer cleaning/flushing program, especially in problem areas.
  • Continue to identify future sanitary sewer infrastructure improvements in the Capital Improvement Plan.

Sanitary Sewer System – Regional

Generally, the City's sanitary sewer system flows in an easterly direction out of the City via MCES lift station L27 and City lift station #5 into a main MCES interceptor along Excelsior Boulevard. All effluent is treated at either the Metro WasteWater Treatment Plan or Blue Treatment Plant.

Hopkins estimated sewage flows at MCES L27 and Lift Station #5 are as follows:

MCES Sanitary Sewer Flow Estimated (MGY)
Service Area 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
City L.S. #5 45 46 46 47 47
MCES L.S. L27 666 674 682 687 693
Total 711 720 728 734 740

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