Rapid Snow Melt Causes High Flows In WLSSD Collection System

DULUTH, MN—Warm weather over the weekend and continued high temperatures this week have snow melting at a rapid pace. High flows of clear water are entering the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District’s (WLSSD) sanitary sewer collection system in Duluth. The increased flow has already been diverting to storage basins in several locations and overflows are a possibility.  Clear water is not meant to enter the sanitary sewer system, but can inadvertently seep in through cracks, faulty connections, and improperly connected roof and foundation drains.

Peak flow to the wastewater treatment plant has exceeded 120 million gallons per day compared to the average daily flow of 38 MGD. Residents are reminded to ensure that discharges from sump pumps and drains are always directed away from their home foundations to reduce likelihood of sewer overflows and pollution of the river and lake during spring thaws. The WLSSD staff are working round the clock to support the collection system prevent any potential threats to public health and our environment.

While WLSSD is doing everything possible to prevent overflows the snow volume and rapid melt is stressing the system and could cause releases. Residents are asked to report any overflow from a manhole and avoid contact with any sewer overflow due to the potential for exposure to disease-causing organisms.  Storm sewers and sanitary sewers may also lift and move manhole covers creating a dangerous fall hazards when the overflow ceases.  Contact the WLSSD at 722-3336 24-hours per day to report overflowing manholes or any open manhole.

Headquartered in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 530 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.