Duluth’s Storm SewersChris Kleist

Overview

• My background• About Duluth• Storm sewer 101• June flood • Flooding issues• Considerations

Background

• Ely, MN• Outdoors• Guiding • Stormwater and

Wastewater Industry

Today

• Program Coordinator - Stormwater• MS4 Permit Compliance• Duluth’s Utilities

Duluth

• 26 miles long• 883 feet elevation• 431 miles storm sewer pipe

– 12,000 catch basins– 5600 manholes– 100+ miles of ditching

Duluth

• 26 miles long• 883 feet elevation• 431 miles storm sewer pipe

– 12,000 catch basins– 5600 manholes– 100+ miles of ditching

MS4 Program

• Stormwater NOT treated• Series of Minimum Control Measures and Best

Management Practices• Education• Illicit discharge• Inspections• Good housekeeping

Stormwater Basics

• Rainwater and snowmelt• Impervious surface• Pollution sources• MEP

Duluth Stormwater Program

• Illicit Discharge• Stormwater Billing• Best Management Practices

(BMPs)– Structural– Non-structural

• Runoff, erosion, and sediment issues

Duluth Stormwater Program

• Cleaning• Maintenance• Inspection• Plan review• Technical assistance

Storm Sewer Challenges

• Trout streams– Pollution

• Sediment• Temperature

– DNR• Maintenance• Fish passage

Storm Sewer Challenges

• Volume Control– Infiltration– Rate control– Water Quality

Storm Sewer Challenges

• Budget• Old system• Increasing regulations

– MS4– TMDL– Non-Degradation