Variety of factors lead to flooded basements in Hartley

The first significant rainfall in several months created a crappy situation for some homeowners in east Hartley.

The sanitary sewer system backed up into a handful of homes Nov. 8 during a storm that dumped steady rainfall on the area throughout the day. According to Hartley Superintendent of Public Works Jaron Benz, a variety of factors – including the city's new lift station – caused the issue.

"Had we known this was going to happen, obviously we would have attackled it a lot different," Benz told the city council on Monday. "If I were to tell you I'm going to point my finger at somebody, I don't know who that would be at this point because there are several factors that were at fault."

Benz cited three main elements that contributed to the backup issues.

Following last week's incident, workers discovered a bypass valve from the previous lift station was left open. Benz said the valve would have been installed in the 1960s or 1970s and allowed the city to bypass the lift station if it were to lose power instead of flooding out basements.

Benz explained the open valve caused water to back up into the wet well last week because the city received enough rainfall in a short timeframe.

"The reason it's never been noticed before is because the old lift station couldn't pump enough," he said.

The added water caused the lift station to pump significantly more than normal, which overtook the system. Alarms notified city workers that something was amiss, but the damage had been done by the time they could address it.

Benz also noted a significant amount of black grit was found in sewer lines following the incident, which likely contributed to backup issues.

The city has temporarily repro-

gramed the new lift station to only pump a certain amount of water while problems are addressed. The line has been televised and jetted to remove any remaining grit, and the city will re-evaluate whether it can increase pumping capacity to normal levels so the new lift station can function as intended during periods of heavy precipitation.

With the lift station running at reduced capacity, Council Member Roxann Swanson was concerned the city gained nothing with its construction. It was installed this year with the intention of reducing backup issues elsewhere on the east side of town during large rain events.

Benz was confident the city would be able to fully utilize the infrastructure once all issues are addressed. Additionally, he noted the city this winter will complete cure-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining on a portion of sewer lines in the affected area. The method repairs existing sewer lines with a trenchless rehabilitation and restoration technique. The process uses a textile liner tube and a liquid resin to reseal cracks and other damage, in turn reducing the amount of inflow and infiltration into pipes and lessening the burden on the sewer system.

"Once everything is done, we should be able to operate where it's supposed to be for the most part and not cause issues," Benz said.

The city will continue to monitor the situation in the weeks and months ahead. Benz said the city's insurance carrier is working with affected homeowners for damage reimbursement.

"With all factors known to this point, they are assuming liability the way it sounds," he said Tuesday.

City Administrator Erica Haack noted the insurance adjuster is reviewing the contract with the lift station's contractor to see if there's any chance at subrogating claims. She said the city will work hard to ensure backup issues are a one-time incident.

"It was a fluid situation and even days later we're still learning more about it," she told the council. "Our first priority was our customers."