[Winona] FW: waste planning

Wed May 3 10:05:54 CDT 2006

Daren,

            I agree completely with your statement that proper
maintenance is the key to keeping the individual septics working
correctly.  The report in the attached link states 39% are failing or an
immediate threat. I've read an EPA or MPCA report that shows a higher
number.  I'll look for that later.

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/reports/lrwq-wwists-1sy04.pdf

Apparently at least 39% of people are not doing proper maintenance.
This issue, as many, is politically difficult to address.  The City of
Winona requires that sewer systems with in the city be inspected every
three years.  If not working correctly, the system must either be
brought into MPCA compliance or hook up to the municipal system.  

The septic system at Prairie Island was installed for the
shower/restroom building at the campground.  It is maintained correctly
to keep it functioning properly.  

In the six years I've been in town, and to the best of my recollection,
the only wastewater bypass we have had was in the high floodwaters of
2001.  At that time, with the permission of the MPCA, we asked Froedert
Malting to dump their process water, which is only high in starch,
directly into the river.  That took some of the pressure off the
overloaded sewer pipes and lift stations.  This waste water does not
pose any health hazard and was incredibly diluted with the enormous
volume of flows in the river at that time.  All government agencies were
in agreement with this action.

Take the time to read the MPCA report.  It's kind of long, but it is a
significant problem.  I'd encourage Dwayne  Voegeli to read it as well.

Keith Nelson

City of Winona

Public Works Department

507 457 8274

________________________________

From: Daren Engler [mailto:dengler at hbci.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 10:15 AM
To: Keith Nelson; winona at mnforum.org
Subject: Re: [Winona] FW: waste planning

    Keith and all,

    50% to 80% sounds alarming.  Keith, do you have any documents or
reports you could direct me to that state these numbers, and the details
surrounding them?  I guess I could more easily imagine this number in a
small group of septics, maybe due to improper installation by one
contractor in a cluster development or something of the like.  I'm under
the understanding that septic systems fail largely due to improper
maintenance, not due to poor design or functionality.  Improper
maintenance makes just about anything fail prematurely.

    I know each type of system has their pros and cons, so can you
elaborate on any failure by municipal systems.  I believe the city of
Winona had a failure a few years back where the raw sewage was pumped
directly into the Mississippi at a very large volume per minute.....I
don't know the details, that's why I ask.  I would agree that this was
probably the only reasonable alternative to flooding the streets, homes,
and basements of residents with the raw sewage.

    Can you also tell me anything you know as to why the city put in a
septic system at the Prairie Island campground.....and what happens to
this system at times of high water?  In all sincerity, wouldn't a
holding tank be a better choice.  A holding tank that could be pumped
empty just before high water comes.  I would assume when the water is
high for a few weeks, anything in this septic system is flushed into the
river.  Again, there's probably things I'm not aware of with the
situation.

    Thanks for any info, Keith.

    Daren Engler

	----- Original Message ----- 

	From: Keith Nelson <mailto:knelson at cityhall.luminet.net>  

	To: winona at mnforum.org 

	Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 8:56 AM

	Subject: [Winona] FW: waste planning

	[Winona Online Democracy]

________________________________

________________________________

	From: Keith Nelson 
	Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 8:34 AM
	To: winona at mnforum.org
	Subject: waste planning

	The treatment of waste water is highly regulated by both the
MPCA and the EPA.  First the treatment process does in fact kill
dangerous bacteria both in the liguid effluent and the more solid
biosolids.  The biosolids that Mr Kirschmann is talking about is
separated organic material that is highly sought after for use as a
supplement to farm fields.  Its use significantly reduces the need for
certain fertilizers.  Constant testing, as well as testing of the
testing procedure, is performed on all phases of the treatment.  The
land application of the biosolids is monitored primarily for heavy
metals.  Application and accumulation levels are carefully recorded and
restricted.  All aspects of the applications sites are taken into
account before being approved as an acceptable site by the MPCA and then
it is only to willing land owners. 

	Waste water plant operators are certified through many levels of
testing and years of experience, again through the MPCA.

	The Winona waste water plant has a spotless record with all
government agencies.  Plant capacity is being used at only 60% and
provides opportunity for continued community growth.

	The current technology used at the Winona Wastewater treatment
plant is as effective and environmentally friendly method to treat human
and industrial waste as anywhere in the country and likely the world.
Legitimate concern should be raised in the use of individual septic
treatment systems.  The rural tank and drain field approach is only a
step above the individual privy (a big hole in the ground method).  MPCA
records state that from 50% to 80% of the septic drain fields are
failing and dumping human waste and household chemicals directly into
surface and ground waters.  Of course animal feedlots are always a
health concern.  Someone legitimately concerned with the environment
would address these long before the highly regulated and effective
municipal wastewater systems.

	Keith Nelson

	City of Winona

	Public Works Department

	507 457 8274

________________________________

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