Inflow and Infiltration Inspection Program
I/I Inspection
Over the next several years, the City will inspect homes and businesses in Golden Valley to determine if roof drains, foundation drains, sump pumps, and other clear water sources are connected to the sanitary sewer system. Property owners who apply for plumbing permits, variances, subdivisions, or other actions from the City will also be subject to an inspection. All properties in Golden Valley must be inspected and required to be in compliance before they can be sold.
The City will conduct I/I inspections as part of its annual Pavement Management Program (PMP). Properties located in the PMP areas will be inspected the year prior to street construction.All inspections will be pre-scheduled, will be performed by trained inspectors wearing photo ID badges, and should take less than an hour.Make sure an adult is at home when the inspector arrives. Clear a five-foot area around the sewer clean out to give the inspector plenty of room to work. The inspector will televise your sanitary sewer service out to the City sewer main, check your sump pump discharge system, and check your roof drains/leaders.If the property complies with the City ordinance, a certificate of compliance will be provided to the property owner and a copy placed on file with the City.
If a property does not comply with the City Ordinance, the inspector will provide the property owner a copy of the form delineating the problem(s). The property owner will then be responsible for making the corrections and calling for a re-inspection so a certificate of compliance can be issued.
For complete details and a step-by-step guide to preparing for I/I inspections, visit the Guide And Requirements To I/I Inspections page.
Private Property Inspection
To comply with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Division (MCES) directives regarding I/I, the City Council approved ordinance changes that will allow the City to inspect private properties to ensure there are no illegal connections to the sanitary sewer system.
The goal of this inspection program is to reduce the excessive flows that enter the sanitary sewer system so the City, and its utility customers, won't have to pay MCES surcharges.If you have questions about I/I, the City's municipal utility code, or the private property inspection program, contact Golden Valley Public Works at 763-593-8030.
If you have questions about how your sanitary sewer system is maintained, contact the Public Works Utilities Division at 763-593-8075.
I/I Problem Spots:
- Roof Drains/Leader
Roof drains and leaders direct storm water from roof gutters to the ground through pipes and downspouts. Roof drains should not be connected to the sanitary sewer but should discharge to the ground outside of a building. If your roof drains are connected to the sanitary sewer, disconnect them, plug any open connections to the sanitary sewer using a non-shrink permanent material, and redirect the roof drains onto the ground outside the building. - Foundation Drains
Foundation drains are underground pipes that collect storm water from around the base of a building and into a sump basket, where it is then pumped outside of the building. Foundation drains should not be connected to the sanitary sewer. If your foundation drain system is connected to the sanitary sewer, correcting the problem could be costly. The process could involve excavation to disconnect the foundation drain from the sanitary sewer and installation of a sump pump system. The new sump system must pump directly to the ground outside of the building or be connected to the City's storm sewer system. - Sump Pump Systems
Sump pumps are designed to capture surface or ground water that enters basements or crawl spaces and pump it away from the house. The basic sump system includes drain tile, a sump pit, a sump pump, a float or switch, and a drain line. The sump pit extends below the slab and collects surface water that enters the basement/crawl space or groundwater that rises to the slab. Sump pumps should not be connected to the sanitary sewer. Sump pumps should drain into the City’s storm sewer system through one of two methods: a direct connection (a pipe from the house to the main storm sewer line), if available, or directly onto the ground (preferably 20 feet from the house and not into a neighbor’s yard). - Sanitary Sewer System
Wastewater from Golden Valley travels through the City’s sanitary sewer system to the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is operated by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Division (MCES). MCES treats wastewater for communities in the seven county metropolitan area.
