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Council hears sewer inflow-and-infiltration update after large overflow discovery
Summary
Public Works Director Lee Owen described how crews discovered and repaired a broken 10-inch sewer pipe at Sandy Creek Basin that had been causing an estimated 600,000 gallons-per-day overflow; council discussed staffing and inspection priorities for I&I work.
Public Works Director Lee Owen told council that sewer inflow-and-infiltration (I&I) work is handled as issues arise by one of the Utilities division crews; I&I is not a daily, continuous task but is addressed when problems are found. Owen said the Utilities division effectively operates four crews—two for water, one for sewer collection and one for sewer I&I.
Owen and Finance Director Joey Fuqua said staff levels in Water and Sewer are currently about six positions short of desired complement, and department leaders said overflows have improved despite the shortfall. Owen noted a significant past finding: about a year earlier staff discovered and repaired a broken ten-inch sewer pipe submerged in a culvert at the Sandy Creek Basin that had been generating an overflow of roughly 600,000 gallons per day.
Councilmember Garry D. Daeke asked whether grease trap inspections for businesses were the city's responsibility. Water Resources Director Christy Lipscomb said the city (specifically her staff) is responsible and that about half of required inspections have been completed; Development Services staff assist with notifying new businesses about relevant ordinances. Lipscomb added that automotive repair shop grease is not regulated by the city.
Councilmembers and staff did not take formal action at the session but asked for follow-up on staffing needs and public education related to Grease Trap/ordinance compliance.
