Committee approves pilot to replace full sanitary laterals during street reconstruction in known I&I areas

The Green Bay Improvement and Service Committee voted to approve a pilot program proposed by the Department of Public Works to replace full residential sanitary sewer laterals (from the main to the home) during street reconstruction projects in areas identified with infiltration and inflow (I&I) problems.

Public Works staff explained that the city’s longstanding practice is to replace laterals from the main to the property line or terrace during reconstruction and leave the private portion—usually from the right-of-way to the home—under property-owner responsibility. Staff said aging laterals allow groundwater and stormwater (I&I) into the sanitary system, increasing treatment costs and creating capacity problems at the wastewater plant.

The pilot would allow the city, on reconstruct projects in areas already known to have I&I problems, to offer to replace the private portion of the lateral to the structure rather than stopping at the right-of-way. Staff said the program is not a citywide standard and is being proposed only for targeted areas to reduce I&I and the volume of clean water routed to the wastewater plant.

Committee members asked for clarification about the geographic focus; staff identified Colvin Park as an example area under consideration. The committee passed the proposal on a motion by Alder Gallego, second by Alder Eck.

Why it matters: replacing private laterals can reduce clean water that must be treated as sanitary sewage, lowering treatment costs and reducing plant load. The pilot shifts upfront cost considerations: staff emphasized the city will limit the program to targeted reconstruction projects and is not yet adopting a citywide policy or funding commitment.

Next steps: staff will implement the pilot on selected reconstruction projects, send notice letters to affected property owners as described in the packet, and report back on uptake and I&I results.