Rain caused sewer overflows

Approximately 1.33 inches of rainfall in Fairfield Thursday resulted in about 1,398,515 gallons of sanitary sewer overflows from the collection system.

Overflows from four manholes and the west storm water pond went to Cedar Creek and Crow Creek.

Fairfield has a serious inflow and infiltration problem. A sanitary sewer overflow is a discharge of wastewater to the environment. Overflows occur when there is too much water for the sewer system to handle, such as during a rapid snow melt or rainfall.

In Fairfield, sanitary sewer overflows are exacerbated by an aging sewer infrastructure with defects such as broken and cracked pipes and illegal connections including roof drains, sump pumps and footing drains.

Sanitary sewer overflows are not allowed by the city?s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, and the city is working to improve the wastewater collection system to prevent overflow events. Treatment plant staff is working to maximize operational control to manage bypass to the lowest volume possible.