Received a Letter? Click Here to Schedule an Inspection.
Have a Question? Please call (833) 401-9467
A Public Informational Meeting will be held on October 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Algona Public Library, Conference Room A.
The meeting will discuss scheduling inspections, length of inspections, proper sump pump/footing drain connections and other miscellaneous items.
Information from the meeting will be posted in the Notices section.
Want to know more about the program? Review the information below.
- Who is getting an inspection?
- Why is this important?
- What should I do?
- What is an inspection?
- What’s the next step?
Who is getting an inspection?
The City of Algona is implementing a mandatory inspection program to verify that clear water from sump pumps, footing drains, seepage systems, or roof drains is not connected to the sanitary sewer. Properties within targeted areas of the City which have experienced backup issues recently will be required to get an inspection. See this map to determine if your property will require an inspection.
Why is this important?
Like many cities in Iowa, Algona faces challenges with its sanitary sewer collection system. During significant rainfall events, the system becomes overloaded by excess ground water and rain water (clear water). Flows can increase up to eight times the normal rate during these events. Overloaded sewers can lead to basement backups, and in extreme cases, require bypassing flow directly to the river. This situation causes damage to homes and personal property, raises health concerns, and creates environmental issues.
Excess clear water enters the system through cracks in sewer mains and manholes, and from private sources such as sump pumps, seepage collection systems, defective service laterals, and roof drains. National studies indicate that the distribution of public and private clear water sources is approximately 50/50. Removing private sources of clear water is essential to solving the problem. The major sources of private clear water in the sanitary sewer system are sump pumps and footing drains in the sewer lateral.
A footing drain removes ground water from around a home's foundation through an illegal direct connection to the sewer lateral. It should instead be properly connected to a sump pump.
A sump pump also removes ground water from around a home’s foundation. If connected properly, a sump pump should discharge to the exterior of the home or to the storm sub-drain, if available. Discharge should not be drained into a floor drain or tub sink. A single sump pump discharges between 20 - 100 gallons per minute (gpm). It takes only a few improperly plumbed sump pumps to overload a neighborhood sewer main that has a typical capacity of 400 gpm.
What should I do?
The City needs your help to remove clear water from the system. Check to make sure your sump pumps, seepage collection systems, and roof drains discharge onto the ground or into a storm sub-drain. To prepare for the lateral portion of the inspection, check for the location of the cleanout on the main sewer stack.
When requested, please schedule an inspection appointment to verify that no clear water connections are present. The City's Title 13 of the Municipal Code of Ordinances prohibits clear water connections into the sanitary sewer. The Ordinance authorizes mandatory sump pump inspections to confirm that buildings do not have clear water connections. 'Clear water' surcharges may be added to sewer bills for buildings that have not been inspected and passed.
What is an inspection?
The City of Algona is initiating mandatory sanitary sewer connection inspections to verify that clear water from sump pumps, footing drains, seepage systems, or roof drains is not connected to the sanitary sewer.
To conduct these inspections, access to your property and basement is required to observe exterior grading, roof drains, sump pits/pumps, and seepage collection systems, if present. Inspectors will also need access to a cleanout located on the main sewer stack of the property to examine the lateral service. A typical inspection takes less than 30 minutes.
To ensure fairness to residents, all buildings with a sewer account within the designated sectors will be inspected, regardless of whether a basement or sump pump is present.
There will be no fees for these inspections.
An adult must be present during the inspection.
Property owners have the option to hire a private plumber to complete their inspection, in which case the plumber's fees would be at the property owner's expense.
What’s the next step?
You will be notified by mail when it's time to schedule an inspection. If you've already received a letter, click Schedule Inspection.
Please check the links above for more information about the program and for contact details.