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DeKalb Sanitary District

Notice of User Rate Change Effective January 1, 2010

See press release, ordinance, and user rate comparisons with nearby communities at the bottom of this page.

We're Not the City of DeKalb

Like the School District, the Library District or the Park District, a Sanitary District is a separate administrative and political unit of government from the state, city or town it resides within.

Federal and State Regulation

The construction of the first sewer system here was completed in 1908 and enlarged to include septic tanks and stone filter beds in 1914.

A movement to "Kleen the Kish" was led by the Izaak Walton League in 1928. In response to the mandate of local voters, the DeKalb Sanitary District was organized July 12, 1928 as the 23rd District in Illinois to be incorporated under the Sanitary District Act of 1917. At that time, it became a distinct governmental and taxing body.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency was formed in 1972 and DeKalb Sanitary District came under its auspices as a "POTW" (a publicly owned treatment works). The District holds NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit Number #IL0023027.

District Responsibilities

The DeKalb Sanitary District is a Class I Wastewater Treatment facility responsible for treating all wastewaters for the City of DeKalb and Northern Illinois University.

Service to the City of DeKalb

By agreement with the City of DeKalb, on November 1, 1987, the Sanitary District took over the ownership of the entire "sanitary collection system" (sanitary sewer mains and manholes) for the City of DeKalb. The District now constructs, repairs and maintains that sanitary infrastructure.

Service to Northern Illinois University

Within the Northern Illinois University Campus, much of the infrastructure is private and is maintained by the University. Sewer mains on City streets passing through the University are part of the DeKalb Sanitary District collection system.

DeKalb Sanitary District - Population Served

The work done by a wastewater treatment plant is measured in MGD (millions of gallons per day) units.

Two Billion Gallons a Year

DeKalb Sanitary District treated about 2 billion gallons of wastewater last year.

More than 4 Million Gallons a Day

Users of the DeKalb Sanitary District generate between 4.5 and 6.0 Million Gallons of wastewater each day.

Serving a Variety of Users

Residential

Residential users include the estimated 42,599 people in the City of DeKalb.

Commercial and Retail

The District also serves the service and commercial businesses in its Facilities Planning Area. These include restaurants, retail stores, health care providers, recreational and entertainment enterprises.

Industrial

The industrial sector includes local industries that are considered "Significant Industrial Users" under the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination program. The discharges of these and other industrial users are regulated to protect the population and the environment.

University

The District treats the wastewater generated by Northern Illinois University. The more than 25,000 students account for a significant proportion of the total wastewater volume. The operation of the treatment plant is complicated by the university's schedule. The volume of wastewater the plant must handle jumps dramatically during the one or two days in which the students return to campus, demanding great expertise on the part of plant operators to keep the biological treatment system in balance under rapidly increasing waste loads.

How to Contact the DeKalb Sanitary District

By Mail

DeKalb Sanitary District
303 Hollister Avenue
Post Office Box 624
DeKalb, Illinois 60115

By Telephone

Call the District at 815 758-3513.

Administration phones are manned from 7 AM until 4 PM weekdays.

Operations personnel are at the plant throughout the day and night, but operators may be away from the phones for plant walk-throughs or collection system calls. Please try 758-3513 again, or call the night operator's cell phone at 815 762-1933.

If your call is urgent and you cannot reach us at the numbers above, please call the City of DeKalb Police Department dispatcher at 748-8400 for help in contacting us.

In Person

The DeKalb Sanitary District treatment works lies on the east bank of the Kishwaukee River at the foot of Hollister Avenue. We are north of East Hillcrest Drive, south of Hopkins Park, and across the river from Tilton Park Drive. The administrative offices are at the same location.

Visit us at 303 Hollister Avenue in DeKalb during the hours of 7 AM until 4 PM weekdays. Plant gates are locked after 4 PM weekdays and on weekends. Call ahead to arrange an appointment during those hours.

By Fax or Email

Our fax number is 815 758-6615 and our email address is mail at dekalbsanitarydistrict.com. These will be responded to during weekday business hours of 8 AM until 4:30 PM.

Directions

From Illinois Tollway I-88

Take Peace Road exit north to Pleasant Street exit.
Go west on Pleasant Street to 13th Street.
Turn right onto 13th Street and follow it to where it meets Sycamore Road (IL Route 23).
Continue through the intersection (13th Street becomes Hollister Avenue)
DeKalb Sanitary District plant site is straight ahead.

From Illinois Route 38

Proceed to the intersection of Route 38 and Route 23 in downtown DeKalb.
Turn north with Route 23 and follow it to its intersection with Hollister Avenue.
Turn left at the stop light at the intersection of Hollister (13th Street) and Sycamore Road (Route 23).
DeKalb Sanitary District plant site is straight ahead.

From Illinois Route 64

Proceed to the intersection of Route 64 and Route 23 in downtown Sycamore.
Turn south with Route 23 and follow it to its intersection with Hollister Avenue.
Turn right at the stop light at the intersection of Hollister (13th Street) and Sycamore Road (Route 23).
DeKalb Sanitary District plant site is straight ahead.

Meet the Board of Trustees

Members of the DeKalb Sanitary District's three-member Board of Trustees are appointed for three-year terms of office by the DeKalb County Board. They govern the District on behalf of its residents.

Current Members of the Board

Board Meeting Days and Times

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the DeKalb Sanitary District is held the third week of each month in the office of the District at 303 Hollister Avenue, DeKalb, Illinois. The meeting is called to order at noon.

The regular monthly meeting of the Trustees of the DeKalb Sanitary District for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 will be held at noon in the office of the District at 303 Hollister Avenue, DeKalb, Illinois on the following dates:

Public Input

An opportunity for Public Input is included in each month's agenda, and citizens are encouraged to attend the Board Meetings to give input or to write to the Board of Trustees in care of the DeKalb Sanitary District at P.O. Box 624, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.

DeKalb Sanitary District Board Meeting Agenda

Meetings are held at 303 Hollister Avenue in DeKalb.

For Meeting Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at noon
  1. Approval of the February agenda
  2. Approval of the January minutes
  3. Approval to transfer funds
  4. Approval to pay bills as presented
  5. Public input and Communications
  6. Presentation from Fehr-Graham & Associates LLC by Mark Painter and Michael Gronewold
  7. NIU West Campus Development Plan Briefing
  8. Treasurer's Report
  9. Consideration for Paying Down IEPA Revolving Loan
  10. Annexations/Pre-annexations
  11. Engineer's Report
  12. Plan Review
  13. Projects - Status
    1. Biosolids Rehabilitation and Improvements
      1. Execute Loan Disbursement Request No. 3
      2. Authorize Payment to Williams Brothers for Pay Request No. 1 for $463,708.30 upon receiving funds from state
    2. Country Club Lift Station Project
      1. Authorize payment to Williams Brothers for Pay Request No. 1 for $130,776.70 upon receiving funds from state
    3. West Lincoln Highway Sewer Replacement Project
    4. 2009 Sewer Grouting Project
      1. Approval of Change Order No. 1 resulting in a net deduct of $156,180.50
  14. Engineering Agreement for 2010 Spot Repairs
  15. Engineering Agreement for 2010 Lining Project
  16. Shodeen NB&T Commons
  17. Naperville Lateral Program
  18. Moraine Terrace: Authorization to advertise for bids approximately 2/26/2010
  19. Replace lab floor
  20. Voorhees search status
  21. Property – General Liability Insurance Renewal
  22. Catastrophic Water Loss Relief Requests
  23. New Business
  24. Executive Session to Address Personnel Issues

DeKalb Sanitary District Board Meeting Minutes

DeKalb Sanitary District
January 20, 2010
Board Meeting Minutes

Approved February 17, 2010

The January meeting of the DeKalb Sanitary District Board of Trustees was held at the office of the District at noon on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Trustees Dennis Collins, Tim Struthers and Carol Zar attended, as did Michael Zima, District Manager; Janice Tripp, Assistant Manager Administration; Steve Olsen, Plant Foreman; and Betty Jones, Secretary. Attorney for the District Keith Foster, District Treasurer Wayne Fesler, Scott Trotter, P.E. and Mike Holland, P.E. were present. Jamie Smirz, City of DeKalb Community Development Department and Jim Schneider also attended.

President of the Board Collins called the meeting to order.

Trustee Collins moved to approve the January agenda. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried.

Trustee Zar moved to approve the December minutes. Trustee Struthers seconded. Motion carried.

The transfer of: $170,000.00 from the Revenue Fund to the O & M Fund; $7,733.04 from the Dedicated Tax IMRF Fund to the O & M Fund; and $4,933.93 from the Dedicated Tax FICA Fund to the O & M Fund was approved by a motion made by Trustee Struthers and seconded by Trustee Collins and carried.

Trustee Collins moved to approve the payment of bills as presented. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried.

In Public Input and Communications, Jim Schneider asked how lower water and sewer use would impact on plans for expansion. Trustee Collins said that although an up to date Facilities Plan is a requirement for the District, no expansion is in the works. Scott Trotter explained that when replacing obsolete infrastructure possible future needs are considered by leaving space for the addition of equipment when it becomes necessary. Jim also asked when an increase in connection fees would be brought to the Board for consideration, and Mike Zima said they would be reexamined when the economic climate changes.

Treasurer Fesler presented the Treasurer's Report and discussed current investment rates.

Janice Tripp, Assistant Manager Administration, reported on the review she and Treasurer Fesler did of outstanding investments and presented to the Trustees her recommendations for paying off the IEPA Revolving Loans which have a higher interest rate than the District is currently able to earn on investments. She recommended that as investments come due, making an additional payment against principal on the IEPA Loans be considered as an alternative to a new investment. That would allow for unexpected expenses or for an increase in available interest rates. In answer to a question by Trustees Collins and Struthers, Scott Trotter said that there should not be "surprise" expenses attendant to the current Biosolids and Country Club Lift Station Rehabilitation Projects. Trustee Struthers reviewed the elements that should be part of each decision about whether to reinvest funds or use them to pay off the IEPA loans. Janice explained that she and Treasurer Fesler would need to invest $500,000.00 in Public Benefit Fund money this month. Trustee Struthers moved to pay it against the principal on the IEPA Main Plant loan. Trustee Collins seconded. Motion carried. Trustee Collins applauded Janice for her work on this matter.

The Board reviewed a draft for a possible mailer but decided not to proceed with that. Instead they instructed Mike Zima to work with Trustee Zar to put together a press release about the District's receipt of Economic Stimulus funds.

There were no requests for annexation or pre-annexation this month.

Scott Trotter submitted the Engineer's Report in writing and noted that the District and TAI are proceeding with the annual sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects as identified in the Capital Improvements Program. He deferred other discussion to the individual agenda items.

Mike Zima said that the only development plan awaiting review is the NIU West Campus Development Plan. He is attempting to set up a visit to a future Board Meeting by NIU planners to let them describe their plans to the Trustees.

Scott Trotter and Mike Holland reported on the preparation of an application to be submitted to the FAA by the City of DeKalb to obtain permission to build the sludge storage barn on airport property. Keith Foster will start working on an intergovernmental agreement relating to airport and South Slope property usage by the District and the City.

Scott Trotter explained about the complications to the Country Club Lift Station Rehabilitation Project being caused by an underground aquifer. This will require the installation of dewatering wells to relieve the water pressure during construction and will result in an estimated $53,000.00 additional project cost. Mike Zima noted that a request for a time extension will probably also be made.

Mike Holland explained that Williams Brothers has submitted pay requests for each of the above projects, but that they have not submitted all the required documentation. He said that although he would not present the pay requests until the next meeting, IEPA Loan Disbursement Request #2 could be sent to the State of Illinois later this month if the Board approved. Trustee Collins moved to submit that Disbursement Request in the amount of $690,737.11 contingent on Trotter & Associates approval of the supporting documents. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried. Janice noted that the money for the first Disbursement Request has not yet been received.

Mike Holland showed the Trustees a draft of an American Recovery Act sign which is a requirement of the loan, and they instructed him to have signs made for each project.

After a review of engineering time spent on the West Lincoln Highway Project beyond that in the original contract, Mike Zima and Scott Trotter have agreed on additional engineering expenses of $6,563.55. Ten percent had been retained by the District from Elliott & Wood's Pay Request #1 because a subcontractor had submitted a $4,050.00 request which had not been properly documented. The documentation still has not been supplied, and Trotter & Associates has sent a letter informing them that project will be closed out unless the documentation is received by the February 17, 2010 Board Meeting.

Elliott & Wood has completed the 2009 Spot Repair Project and Trotter & Associates recommended the payment of their Pay Request #2 (final) in the amount of $6,632.58. Trustee Struthers moved to approve it. Trustee Collins seconded. Motion carried.

The closing out of the 2009 Grouting Project is awaiting submission of Visu-Sewers documentation for an amended Change Order #1, which will be presented at next month's meeting.

Trustee Collins moved and Trustee Struthers seconded Resolution No. 2010-01-20-01, "A Resolution Authorizing the District Manager to designate Freedom of Information Act officers pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act of the State of Illinois." The Trustees asked that the appointment of the Freedom of Information Act officer be put on the list of April appointments so that this important matter is not overlooked.

Voorhees Associates LLC has been advertising the District Manager position and has received 34 applications to date. The closing date is January 29, 2010. They will then present a list of qualified candidates to the Board.

There were no requests for Catastrophic Loss Reimbursement this month.

In New Business Janice reported that she obtained the telephone update approved at the December 2009 meeting at a lower cost than anticipated.

Trustee Collins moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Zar seconded. Motion carried.

Trustee Collins adjourned the meeting.

Dennis J. Collins, President

Administration of the Sanitary District

Administrators for the Sanitary District are responsible for the present operation and future growth of the treatment plant, the maintenance and improvement of the collection system and the stewardship of appropriated funds.

Administrators

Officers

Office Hours

Administrative Office Hours are 7 A.M. until 4 P.M. and by appointment Monday through Friday at the office of the District at 303 Hollister Avenue in DeKalb, Illinois.

The phone number to reach any of them is 815 758-3513.

Office Personnel

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators:

All DeKalb Sanitary District operations personnel have or are working towards Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Several of them hold "Class One" certification, which is the highest level possible. There are four levels of certification in all, each requiring different levels of knowledge, experience and expertise.

Personnel

Operator Certification for Public Safety

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says: "Wastewater treatment systems protect public health and the environment only if they are being properly operated and maintained. The Wastewater Operator Certification Program is intended to protect public health, environmental quality, and the financial investment of wastewater facilities....Applicants for certification must meet specific experience, education, and examination requirements in order to qualify for certification."

Administrators Who Hold Operator Certification

What Happens When You Flush?

An average of 6.72 million gallons of water comes through 130 miles of sanitary sewers throughout the District to reach the plant each day. Smaller sewer mains feed into larger ones that eventually dump into the plant "headworks" where the "raw influent" enters the treatment process. The flow never stops, but varies throughout the day.

What's In It?

Wastewater is water that has been used by people.

What Do We Do With It?

The District returns the water to the environment to once again serve the needs of the community. We do so by cooperating with natural processes.

What we do at the wastewater treatment plant is to accelerate the process by which water naturally purifies itself in rivers and streams. We use mechanical and biological processes much like those found in nature to remove solids and contaminants from the wastewater. The process takes 10 to 13 hours from when the wastewater enters the plant headworks.

Constant monitoring, sampling and testing assure that the cleansing process is working correctly and that the outfall to the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River does not threaten the environment.

Getting the Grit Out

Preliminary Treatment is aimed at removing large objects, coarse debris and inorganic material from the wastewater.

Barscreens

Large objects like clothing, soda cans, beer bottles, rags, sticks, feminine hygiene products, diapers, tree roots, cigarette butts, clumps of grease - all the things not meant to be flushed in the first place - are taken out of the wastewater by passing it through openings in parallel bars in machines called "bar screens."

The debris (called "screenings") gets caught on the bars. A mechanical rake pushes the screenings onto a trough.

The screenings generated from the preliminary treatment are pressed to remove excess water and then bagged in a plastic tube in a dumpster and hauled off to a sanitary landfill for burial.

Grit Removal

Next, the wastewater is put into a velocity controlled tank. A vortex mixer controls the velocity in the tank so that only the heavier particles settle out, removing glass, metal, sand and gravel particles, referred to as "grit.

The grit from the preliminary treatment process is pumped through a cyclone dewatering unit and then conveyed up an incline and placed in a dumpster for disposal in the sanitary landfill also.

The lighter organic materials remain in the wastewater and move on to the next stage of treatment.

Influent

Pumps move the wastewater, now strained of trash, sand, and gravel, on to Primary Treatment.

Sludge Sinks and Scum Floats

The goal of primary treatment is to remove as much of the suspended solids as possible. From 40 to 60 percent of the solids are removed from the wastewater stream as sludge and scum during the primary phase of treatment.

Primary Physical Treatment: Clarifiers

The wastewater is pumped into one of three primary "clarifiers." These are large round settling tanks. Here the water that has been flowing rapidly is slowed down.

Organic particles denser than water (sludge) sink to the bottom of the tank in a process called sedimentation. Particles less dense than water (scum) float to the surface in a process called floatation. Rotating arms scrape the surface of the water to collect the scum. The scum and the sludge are sent to the digesters for further treatment.

Primary Effluent

The water that is left is called the primary effluent. It flows by gravity to the next step in the process of its purification.

Our Friendly Kingdom

In the secondary treatment process, microorganisms use organic pollutants as their food supply. In trickling filters or biodiscs the microorganisms are attached to a surface and form a biological film. The microorganisms do the purification. Our job is to provide them a friendly environment for their life cycle.

Secondary Biological Treatment: Trickling Filters

Mimicking Nature

There are two stages in the Trickling Filter type of biological secondary treatment. They are modeled after what happens in nature to clear and purify water. In nature, wastewater moves over rocks, which are home to fungi, bacteria and algae. The dissolved organic material in the wastewater is food to them. Each type of organism performs a different function in the cleaning of the water as it moves through the streambed.

Facilitating Natural Processes

While these processes can and do take place naturally in streams where there is only a relatively small amount of waste, more people creating more waste produce too much wastewater for the organisms in a small body of water like the Kishwaukee River to handle. At the DeKalb Sanitary District plant, we create a larger community of microorganisms and provide them optimal conditions in which to do their work.

Trickling Filters

"Trickling Filters" do the same thing as the "trickling through rocks" process. The circular tanks contain rocks on which bacteria, protozoa and other organisms grow. The slimy coating of living organisms on the media (rocks, plastic, or other coarse material) doesn't have to be put there. It develops naturally.

The wastewater is sprinkled onto the surface of the filter media from a rotating arm above the tank. As the sewage is sprayed into the air, it absorbs the oxygen that the organisms need to do their work. They use the oxygen to break down organic matter present in the water. That's why they are called "aerobic bacteria."

Secondary Biological Treatment: Bio Discs

At the DeKalb plant wastewater moves from the trickling filters into the biodiscs. The "bio discs" do the same thing as the Trickling Filters, except that huge discs on which the organisms grow rotate through the wastewater instead of the wastewater passing over them. The organisms on the "rotating biological contactors" (RBC's) are somewhat different than those on the trickling filter beds, but they function in a similar manner. Bio Discs remove ammonia from the wastewater by bringing aerobic bacteria into contact with it and with oxygen.

Secondary Physical Treatment: Secondary Clarifiers

In each of the stages above, the water is allowed to settle after the biological processes have been successful. The clarified wastewater moves on to the next process, leaving the beneficial organisms behind to treat another batch of wastewater.

By the time this stage of treatment has been completed up to 95% of the original pollutants will have been removed from the wastewater.

Our Friendly Kingdom

In the secondary treatment process, microorganisms use organic pollutants as their food supply. In trickling filters or biodiscs the microorganisms are attached to a surface and form a biological film. The microorganisms do the purification. Our job is to provide them a friendly environment for their life cycle.

Secondary Biological Treatment: Trickling Filters

Mimicking Nature

There are two stages in the Trickling Filter type of biological secondary treatment. They are modeled after what happens in nature to clear and purify water. In nature, wastewater moves over rocks, which are home to fungi, bacteria and algae. The dissolved organic material in the wastewater is food to them. Each type of organism performs a different function in the cleaning of the water as it moves through the streambed.

Facilitating Natural Processes

While these processes can and do take place naturally in streams where there is only a relatively small amount of waste, more people creating more waste produce too much wastewater for the organisms in a small body of water like the Kishwaukee River to handle. At the DeKalb Sanitary District plant, we create a larger community of microorganisms and provide them optimal conditions in which to do their work.

Trickling Filters

"Trickling Filters" do the same thing as the "trickling through rocks" process. The circular tanks contain rocks on which bacteria, protozoa and other organisms grow. The slimy coating of living organisms on the media (rocks, plastic, or other coarse material) doesn't have to be put there. It develops naturally.

The wastewater is sprinkled onto the surface of the filter media from a rotating arm above the tank. As the sewage is sprayed into the air, it absorbs the oxygen that the organisms need to do their work. They use the oxygen to break down organic matter present in the water. That's why they are called "aerobic bacteria."

Secondary Biological Treatment: Bio Discs

At the DeKalb plant wastewater moves from the trickling filters into the biodiscs. The "bio discs" do the same thing as the Trickling Filters, except that huge discs on which the organisms grow rotate through the wastewater instead of the wastewater passing over them. The organisms on the "rotating biological contactors" (RBC's) are somewhat different than those on the trickling filter beds, but they function in a similar manner. Bio Discs remove ammonia from the wastewater by bringing aerobic bacteria into contact with it and with oxygen.

Secondary Physical Treatment: Secondary Clarifiers

In each of the stages above, the water is allowed to settle after the biological processes have been successful. The clarified wastewater moves on to the next process, leaving the beneficial organisms behind to treat another batch of wastewater.

By the time this stage of treatment has been completed up to 95% of the original pollutants will have been removed from the wastewater.

Biological Helpers

Activated sludge treatment can remove up to 90 percent of pollutants from wastewater in only one step, without going through the trickling filter, clarifier, biodisc, clarifier sequence. Its introduction into the DeKalb plant helped to handle the increasing demands made by the growing population of our area.

Alternate Route for Secondary Biological Treatment

In 1998, the DeKalb Sanitary District added this newer type of secondary treatment process to its plant, providing an alternate route for the wastewater to move through the cleanup process. This increased the amount of sewer water that the plant could treat, which was necessary because of the great increase in the population of the area.

Activated Sludge

In the Advanced Secondary Treatment section of the plant, wastewater is combined with bacteria that are kept in suspension with fine air bubbles in tanks called "aeration tanks." The mixture of nitrifying bacteria and air bubbles is called "Activated Sludge."

Aerobic Bacteria Eat Pollutants

A mixed population of many different kinds of organisms (like those found in nature) use the organic materials in the wastewater as their main food supply. These "aerobic" bacteria need oxygen to do their work, and the rich supply of oxygen in the activated sludge facility makes them happier, healthier, and more efficient.

Secondary Clarification

After the bacteria have consumed both organic matter and ammonia nitrogen, the result is carbon dioxide and a bigger population of bacteria. The mixture is separated in clarifiers. Then the wastewater moves on to the next process, while the activated sludge is returned to the head of the aeration tank to begin the feeding process again.

Water Quality

Tertiary Treatment: Sand Filters

One of the ways water is purified in nature is by being filtered through the sand and fine gravel particles at the bottom of streams and rivers. Ground water is also purified by passing through layer after layer of sand, gravel and rock under the surface of the earth. As the water passes through these materials, fine particles are trapped and left behind.

The first step in Tertiary treatment consists of passing the wastewater through a bed of material with a rough surface to remove any fine solids that might still be in the water. The tanks in which this is done are called "sand filters."

Pathogen Removal: Disinfection

Next all the cleaned wastewater is fed into the "chlorine contact tank" in which sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is mixed with the water to disinfect it. This kills off any harmful organisms that may have escaped the treatment process.

Dechlorination

Excess chlorine is then removed from the water by treating it with sodium bisulfite. This leaves an effluent that can be safely discharged to the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River.

Quality Assurance

Before discharge, its quality is monitored and it is stringently tested for harmful organisms, or unhealthy levels of any substance. This testing is monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the directives of the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Keeping the Kishwaukee Clean

We play an active role in the natural water reclamation cycle for the benefit of our users.

DeKalb Sanitary District discharges treated water to the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River

Under the auspices of the United States and Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies:

Ten to thirteen hours after entering the treatment plant at the headworks, treated water is discharged to the Kishwaukee.

Regulation of Water Quality

Effluent quality is assured by samples taken and tested constantly with monthly reporting to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the guardian of Water Quality Standards for the State of Illinois.

Harmful Substances Removed

DeKalb Sanitary District's treatment process removes many materials that damage water quality and threaten public health and safety. Some of these are:

Biosolids Management

A Note on the Biosolids Rehabilitation Project

On October 21, 2009, the Notice to Proceed on the Biosolids Rehabilitation Project was issued to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. of Peoria, Illinois. This project consists of the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing anaerobic digesters and construction of sludge dewatering facilities at 303 Hollister Avenue, construction of a dewatered sludge storage barn offsite, and rehabilitation of the existing tertiary filters at 303 Hollister Avenue. A Final Completion Date of January 6, 2012 was set.

Biosolids (Sludge) Management

Throughout the treatment process, solids have been drawn off and separated from the wastewater. DeKalb Sanitary District is a Class I sludge management facility, monitored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that biosolids leaving the plant are safe and are put to appropriate uses.

Biosolids Purification: Primary Anaerobic Digesters

All sludges from all the sedimentation tanks combine with the raw sludges from the primary clarifiers and are pumped to primary digesters for sludge stabilization and dewatering. There they are heated and undergo an anaerobic-mesophylic digestion process. Pathogens and materials that attract insects are removed. Anaerobic bacteria digest the sludges into methane gas and water.

Biosolids Purification: Secondary Anaerobic Digesters

From the primary anaerobic digesters, the sludge is moved to the secondary anaerobic digesters. There the sludge is stabilized further. Its pH rises, methane is produced and water is removed. The resulting biosolids contain nutrients and organic humus.

Where Does It Go?

The distribution of valuable biosolids completes the process of returning the resources contained in the wastewater to the environment. The USEPA strictly regulates the land-application process to ensure that the only environmental impact is the beneficial one of providing a natural substitute for chemical fertilizers.

Recycling Resources

In older plant processes the liquid digested sludge which was 6% solid was hauled to agricultural land to be used as a soil conditioner and nitrogen source. Some sludge was dried in sludge drying beds at the plant until it was about 50% solids and resembled light black soil. It too was hauled to agricultural land to be used as a fertilizer.

With higher population and increasing production, the plant has come to use mechanical de-watering methods to speed the natural process, and the dried biosolids are distributed to farmland by a contractor.

Conservation of Resources

Both methane gas and nonpotable water are recycled by the DeKalb Sanitary District to provide an alternative heating source and non-potable water for landscaping and other processes within the plant.

Monitoring the Process

The complex sequence of processes required to purify wastewater into components that can be safely recycled requires intensive monitoring and control.

Operations Supervision

The SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System) monitors 400 data points at the treatment plant and graphically displays for the operator what is happening at each step along the way from the headworks to the outfall.

More than 130 alarms warn the operator of conditions that could indicate problems in the plant or the collection system.

Operators also perform plant walk-throughs and collection systems inspections during each of the three shifts to assure that wastewater collection and treatment proceeds safety and effectively.

Laboratory Supervision

DMRs (Daily Monitoring Reports) kept by Laboratory personnel document total flow, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, ammonia-nitrogen, pH, temperature, and amounts of numerous monitored substances in the plant and in the river. These are reported to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency monthly.

The lab is also responsible for taking samples that are tested and summarized in quarterly reports on Influent, Effluent and Sludge with monitoring of many substances in addition to those above.

Yearly, the District submits measurements on more than one hundred metals and organic priority pollutants.

The amounts of each substance that the District is allowed to discharge is determined by formulas provided under the District's NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and enforced by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

What We're Doing in the Streets

Collection System Projects

2010 Spot Repair Improvements

Sealed bids will be received until 11:00 a.m. on Friday March 26, 2010 2010 Spot Repair Improvements Project, which consists primarily of the following; removal and replacement of sanitary sewer main, sanitary service connections, and sanitary manholes as well as watermain adjustment and the restoration of streets, parkways and appurtenances..

Invitation to Bid on 2010 Spot Repair Improvements Project is available at: http://www.dekalbsanitarydistrict.com/2010BidSpotRepairs.html

Moraine Terrace Sanitary Sewer Improvements

Sealed bids will be received until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 26, 2010 for the Moraine Terrace Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project, which consists primarily of the following; removal and replacement of existing sanitary sewer and service, the removal and replacement of sanitary manholes, bypass pumping, tree removal and replacement, restoration, and traffic control and protection.

Invitation to Bid on the Moraine Terrace Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project is available at: http://www.dekalbsanitarydistrict.com/2010BidMoraine.html

Country Club Lift Station Rehabilitation

The lift station at 127 Buena Vista Drive will be replaced with one resembling the new Lion's Park Lift Station. On October 21, 2009, the Notice to Proceed was issued to Williams Brothers Construction, Inc. of Peoria, Illinois. The Final Completion Date is August 24, 2010.

Questions?

District residents seeking more information on any of our projects can call the District at 815 758-3513 weekdays from 8 to 4.

Projects Ongoing

Sewer System Evaluation & Survey

DeKalb Sanitary District crews carry out cross-flooding, televising of sewers and manhole inspections. Information obtained in these tests is used to determine what rehabilitation work needs to be done in upcoming Spot Repair and Sewer Lining projects.

DeKalb Sanitary District personnel drive red trucks bearing the District's name. Uniforms are not mandatory. You may see our collections personnel wearing orange and yellow reflective vests and jackets, or orange T-shirts bearing the District's name. Each employee carries a District identification badge.

Flow Monitoring

Flow Monitoring studies are conducted by DeKalb Sanitary District collections system personnel. They place monitoring equipment in selected manholes to record the amount of wastewater moving past that point, its speed and how both of these measurements change during rainfall events.

Miscellaneous and Emergency Sewer Repairs

Repair or replacement of sewer main or manholes may be conducted on an "as-needed" emergency basis. District crews or contractors will carry out these repairs.

Contact us with Questions about Our Street Projects

Call the Sanitary District at 815 758-3513 if you have any questions about our people or our work.

City of DeKalb Projects

City of DeKalb Street and Water Department crews and their contractors may be working on projects or repair jobs at any time. Much of their equipment is orange. If you have questions about their work in the streets, call

Looking for Leaks

Sewer backups on a rainy day don't originate in the sewers. On a dry day in the heat of the summer, the public system works perfectly, no matter how many residents and students at Northern flush their toilets or take showers. The number of people who take showers and flush doesn't get any greater when it rains.

An Old Collection System

The 130 miles of sanitary sewer we took over in November of 1987 and now maintain came to us in very bad condition. The average age of all sanitary main in town is fifty years. Some of it is in surprisingly good shape. Much of it is not.

Water that should not be in the sanitary system enters it through cracks in the mains, improperly connected house service laterals, and something called "infiltration," in which water travels from where there's more of it (the ground during wet weather) to where there's less of it (the sanitary sewer) through osmosis.

SSES

As part of ongoing sanitary sewer improvement planning, DeKalb Sanitary District do testing to evaluate the condition of the sanitary sewers.

These kinds of tests are used:

  1. A television camera is inserted into the main sewer lines to observe their conditions. Water is pumped into adjacent street storm sewers to look for cross flooding.
  2. Manholes are inspected to identify those in need of repair.
  3. A non-toxic smoke is blown into the sanitary sewer mains and used as a visual tracer to help determine the condition of the sewer pipes.

Restoring Integrity

DeKalb Sanitary District has aggressively been attacking intrusions of storm and groundwater into the sanitary collection system by

SSES - Sewer System Evaluation Survey

The sanitary mains and the treatment plant weren't constructed to handle the vast amounts of water carried by the City of DeKalb storm sewer system when it rains. During any normal day, the District sewer water usage is under 7 million gallons. During one 2.25-inch rainfall, plant flow reached 40 million gallons as the rain water leaking into the system from the storm sewers and improperly connected house laterals reached the plant.

Where Does 40 Million Gallons of Rain Water Go?

Ground water leaking from the storm sewers into the sanitary mains creates an even worse problem when rainfall amounts are greater or when the ground is already saturated. The sewage treatment plant process takes time and the capacity is limited. When the plant fills up and can hold no more water, the collection system itself becomes a holding tank for the excess rain water and sewer backups occur.

Doing Sewer System Evaluation Survey testing helps the City of DeKalb and the DeKalb Sanitary District find the leaks and fix them to keep storm water where it belongs when it rains.

Cross-Flooding

Cross-flooding is done by introducing dye into the storm sewers. Then closed-circuit television is used to observe any impact on adjacent sanitary sewers. This simulates what happens during rain events.

Is That Antifreeze?

When the storm water is released, the dyed water can be visible in the Kishwaukee. The dye utilized is not harmful to aquatic life, but has turned the river green during past tests.

Some Traffic Disruption During Testing

The District adheres to City of DeKalb requirements for signage and blockades at cross-flooding sites. District personnel do block off areas of the streets for short periods of time while actively testing. Crews do not need access to homes, and no change in water usage patterns is required.

Manhole Inspections

There are over 3400 manholes in the DeKalb Sanitary District collection system. Manholes can collapse due to age, geological processes, or traffic. Manholes are inspected to identify those in need of repair and to assure that they are not blocked by debris of any kind.

Little Impact on Residents

Smoke Testing

Smoke Testing is a process in which non-toxic "smoke" is blown into the sanitary sewer mains and used as a visual tracer to help determine the condition of the sewer pipes. If, for example, smoke came out of a storm sewer catch basin, it would indicate a connection to the sanitary sewer, which is something we would want to correct.

No Smoke Enters Properly Connected Buildings

If home plumbing connections are in good condition, no smoke should enter any building. Smoke testing crews do not need access to homes, and no change in water usage patterns is required.

Act to Prevent Problems

If any fixtures or drains have not been used in a while, the water in the water seal traps may have evaporated. This condition would allow smoke to enter the home or business. To avoid annoyance and irritation, it is recommended that water be added to any such drains to avoid the possibility of trap malfunction.

Preventing Public Sewer Problems

We have been doing infrastructure renewal and rehabilitation each summer since 1988. (The year after we took over the collection system from the City of DeKalb.)

Where to Start?

Deciding which part of town to start in was done by dividing the collection system into drainage areas and measuring the amount of extra water coming from each sector during rainstorms. That flow-monitoring told us where the biggest leaks probably were.

We also have crews doing tests like dying, cross flooding, and smoke testing (described below) to find out what needs to be done in upcoming rehab projects. This process is called SSES for "Sewer System Evaluation Survey".

What's Been Accomplished?

The DeKalb Sanitary District has rehabilitated sewer main by lining, with a project each summer. 90,167 feet or 17 of 133 total system miles (12.8%) has been lined as of Fall 2007. (No lining was done in 2008 because of the 2008 Interceptor Inspection & Cleaning Project.)

Public sewer main repair work in 23 of the 24 identified drainage areas has been completed to date. Approximately 40% of manholes were rehabilitated and 20% of sewer segments were internally lined or otherwise repaired or replaced. Even in areas already covered, new situations demanding attention are constantly coming to light. These are prioritized for work in the future.

More to Come

Efforts to "tighten-up" the system will continue into the foreseeable future, so you'll often see us in your neighborhoods.

Judging Improvement

DeKalb Sanitary District conducts ongoing flow monitoring to assess how effective our efforts have been.

Flow Monitoring

For purposes of assessment, the collection system (all the sewer pipes and other infrastructure that carry wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant at 303 Hollister) has been divided into drainage areas.

During flow-monitoring studies, equipment that measures the amount and rate of wastewater flow is placed into manholes at key points in each drainage basin. These monitors are left in place for some time, and the data collected is compared to rain water amounts over the same period.

This information is used to identify problem areas in need of work in the future and to assess the impact of repairs and lining done during past projects. Flow Monitoring is conducted by DeKalb Sanitary District Collections System Personnel.

Placement and removal of the monitors requires DSD collections system personnel to enter the manholes. Because of the risk that a person entering a manhole might be overcome by sewer gas or lack of oxygen, special harnesses and rigging are used to lower one person into the manhole while another stays above ground, ready to pull the other to safety if it becomes necessary.

Some temporary disruption of traffic may be necessary for short periods of time while the confined space entry equipment is in place. This is the only anticipated impact on residents resulting from flow monitoring.

Call the Sanitary District at 815 758-3513 if you have any questions about our people or our work.

Sewer System Rehabilitation Projects

Ground water infiltrates through defective joints, broken or cracked pipes, faulty connections and manhole sidewall seepage. As part of ongoing sanitary sewer improvement planning, DeKalb Sanitary District contracts each summer for a sanitary sewer reconstruction and rehabilitation project. Priorities for repairs to be done are set during review of the previous year's SSES inspection results. The repairs include:

Locations where Rehab projects will take place during the summer are announced in the spring.

Sewer Lining

Lining is the insertion of a special material inside the pipe to create a new watertight, smooth-surfaced, long-lasting pipe within the old sewer pipe.

Limitations on Water Use

Because the material used has to "cure," the reconstruction takes up to a 24-hour period to complete. During this time the sewer connection to your home or commercial establishment will be sealed off. If your sewer is directly affected, sewage from your home will remain in your service lateral and not be able to enter the public main. Because of this you may be asked refrain from doing laundry for 24 hours and to limit the use of your sink, shower and toilet facilities as much as possible.

Residents Will Be Notified

Not all the residents of a given block will be asked to limit their water use just because lining is happening near them. The only homes that need to do so are those few homes directly served by the pipes being lined. If this applies to you, you will receive a notice (usually in the form of a door hangar) telling you when this needs to begin. The contractor will notify you at least 24 hours before water conservation needs to begin. If you receive no notice, no change in water usage patterns is necessary.

What is That Smell?

There is a chemical odor to the lining material used. Smell should be limited to the out of doors. You should not notice it inside your home unless your windows are open.

To make sure you re not bothered by odors inside your house, be sure to pour a cup or two of water into drain that is not regularly used. This keeps the "trap" full of water and working as it should to prevent sewer gas and odors from coming into your home.

Keep Traps Working

The trap is meant to always be full of water. Its presence forces any gas into the vent stack so that it can be safely vented to the outside. Because the water evaporates when drains are not in use, they should be checked regularly and filled even when crews are not working in your neighborhood.

Manhole Repair and Replacement of Sewer Pipe

Rehabilitation work of this sort is called "spot repair," and locations are scattered. All or portions of a manhole might be replaced or realigned and resealed. A section of crushed or otherwise damaged sewer pipe might be dug up and replaced.

Crews in the Street

In most cases, the major impact will be on traffic. Our contractors are instructed to obey all City Ordinances in regard to safety and signage.

Please call the District at 815 758-3513 if you suffer or observe any problems.

Few Other Impacts on Residents

It is possible that one or two residences that empty into a section of sewer pipe that is being replaced will be asked by the contractor to cease or limit water usage for a short period of time. There is no way to anticipate this, but the contractor has been instructed to give homeowners notice as soon as possible.

If you are not contacted and requested to do so, there is no need to change your water usage patterns.

Root Foaming

In areas of the District where there are many trees and bushes over or near sewer easements, root intrusion into the sanitary sewer collection system can be a real problem. Complete or partial blockage of the private house service laterals cause headaches for homeowners. Intrusion into the public system causes blockages that can affect many residents. Each summer some of the mains in these areas are treated to kill intruding roots. Throughout the year District crews use a root-cutter to clear away the plant life that threatens to stop the wastewater flow.

Illegal Stormwater Connections Inspections

Sewer water belongs in our system. Ground and rainwater don't. Inflow is the water entering the system from roof drains, open stairwell drains, strip or yard area drains and sump pumps hooked into the sanitary. Inflow has an immediate impact on the collection system, and is proportional to the amount of rainfall.

On May 19, 1998 1.8 inches of rain fell in about two hours. Flow of wastewater to the DeKalb Sanitary District plant went from 7 million gallons at 4:30 P.M. to 32.1 million gallons at 5:37 P.M. This increase of 25.1 million gallons in about an hour was not brought about by toilets flushing.

A Joint Effort by the City and the District

A jointly funded (DeKalb Sanitary District and the City of DeKalb) Illegal Connections Inspection Program was begun in 1988 to identify and correct illegal connections to the sanitary sewers from private properties. Between then and 1995, every house, commercial and industrial building was inspected. Foundation water sump pumps, roof drainage and area drains were inspected and dye-water traced (if necessary) to determine where they discharged. When sources of non-sanitary water were found to be tributary to the sanitary sewers, property owners were asked to disconnect the offending source.

This effort is ongoing. Several problems of this sort are discovered each year, usually when they create backups or flooding for the homeowner or neighbors.

What Is an Illegal Connection?

There are three kinds of illegal connections that have been found in DeKalb.

  1. One sump pump serving both foundation drains (storm water) and sanitary facilities (sanitary sewage). Such connections must be separated to provide for sanitary facilities to drain into the sanitary sewer and foundation drains to discharge to the storm sewer or over land.
  2. Separate sump(s) connecting foundation drains to the sanitary sewer. If a sump pump serving foundation drains discharges through an underground pipe to the outside in a direction where there is no storm sewer, there is most likely an illegal connection to the sanitary sewer. Dye can be used to find out for sure.
  3. Downspout connected to the sanitary sewer. Roof drains are connected to downspouts. The downspout may be connected legally to the foundation drain as long as the foundation drain is not connected to the sanitary sewer.

What Does a Legal Connection Look Like?

Good Neighbors Working Together

The DeKalb Sanitary District and the City of DeKalb Engineering, Street and Water Department work together on a daily basis to coordinate their efforts for the good of the community as a whole.

Repairs During City Street Resurfacing

As part of ongoing sanitary sewer improvement planning, DeKalb Sanitary District contracts each summer to repair manholes in streets that the City of DeKalb will be resurfacing.

We attempt to prevent having to excavate a street that was recently repaved by the City of DeKalb by scheduling our work on a street for the same time they are resurfacing it.

The City of DeKalb Directs These Projects

These repairs are performed by the City of DeKalb's contractors and the City is reimbursed for them by the DeKalb Sanitary District. Control of the projects lies with the City of DeKalb.

If you have questions about these projects, check with the City of DeKalb Department of Engineering at 815 748-2030.

What's an Average Quarterly Bill?

$1.30 per House per Day

The use of toilets, garbage disposals, showers, tubs, sinks and other organic waste drains for an "average" single family home are included in this estimate.

Calculation:

Taxes

Note that the above calculations do not include the yearly taxes assessed by the DeKalb Sanitary District.

How Are Bills Issued?

Bills for users in the Sanitary District are issued by the City of DeKalb on behalf of the District. The District reimburses the City of DeKalb for this service.

Billing Questions

Questions about billing can be directed to the City of DeKalb Billing Department at 815 748-2085.

District Rates and Fees

The District spends the money it collects on the equipment that speeds the biological processes of restoration enough to handle the 4.5 to 6.0 Million Gallons of wastewater users send our way each and every day (1,250 billion gallons of wastewater in a year), as well as on the chemicals that help to ensure that the discharge to the Kishwaukee River is safe and clean.

The collection system (the pipes that deliver the wastewater from your homes and businesses to our plant) must also be constantly maintained, repaired and replaced to keep used sanitary water from escaping into the ground water system.

Questions about our user charges can be directed to DeKalb Sanitary District administrators at 815 758-3513.

What About Taxes?

For the tax year 2008 (collected in 2009), the District's tax rate multiplier was $0.09270 per $100 of assessed valuation. A home assessed at $50,000 was taxed $46.35 for Sanitary District services provided during that year.

Tax Abatement

The District's tax rate is decided one year in advance. Generally the District "abates" (or declines to levy) some of the taxes it would be otherwise be allowed to collect. The consensus of the Board of Trustees has been that users should be billed according to how much sanitary service they require rather than according to the property they own. Most of the District's expenses are paid for by user fees.

Taxes Collected

Taxes are collected for paying the District's share of FICA and other employee expenses and for funding what is called the "Public Benefit Fund." That is money that is used to complete projects that the Board feels are for the good of all the users of the District.

Taxing By Ordinance

The taxing ordinance is on the agenda for the December Board meeting each year. Public Input is invited at that and all other meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Tax Collection

Taxes for the Sanitary District are collected by the County of DeKalb as part of the yearly property tax bills. Each spring, bills are issued for taxes due on the preceding year. The DeKalb Sanitary District is a separate taxing body and is not the City of DeKalb.

How Can I Get a Refund on Water that Doesn't Enter the Sewer?

Sewer Charge Refund Meter Program

The purpose of this program is to offer DeKalb Sanitary District users an opportunity to receive a refund of sewer charges for city water used that does not enter sanitary sewers. In general, this would include outside water usage for lawn and garden watering, swimming pools, and ponds, etc

The refund program requires the installation of an additional water meter (hereinafter referred to as “sewer charge refund meter” or simply “refund meter”) to segregate your inside and outside water usage. The refund meter needs to be installed after the city water meter and its output must be used for outdoor purposes (lawns, etc.). Thus, the refund meter measures the amount of water used outside and will provide the District with the required information to issue a refund. (See the diagram below.)

Refund Water Meter Processing Fees

Refund meters are read once each year usually in October or November after the "watering season." A $25.00/year processing fee is associated with this program.

Refund Water Meter Requirementss

The following are requirements for a refund meter installation:

  1. Obtain a plumbing permit from the City of DeKalb. You can contact the City Of DeKalb at 815-748-2070 for information regarding this permit requirement.
  2. You can purchase and install the meter and related piping yourself (provided you own and live in the building) or hire a plumber (registered with the city) to do the work. The refund meter must be a specific type (see below).
  3. After the installation is complete:
    1. Contact the City of DeKalb at 815 748-2070 so the work can be inspected.
    2. Contact the District so the beginning (initial) refund meter reading can be taken and the location of the remote reader can be documented.
Refund Water Meter Specifications
The meter must be a Neptune T-10 meter (calibrated in cubic feet) with ProRead remote reading. The most common size is 5/8”x3/4”, but larger sizes are available. Within our area, these meters are available at: Northern Water Works Supply, Inc., 1720 East State Street in DeKalb (815 756-2800).

How Much Will Installation Cost?

Estimated installation costs: A simple installation by a plumber is estimated to cost about $350.00. This would include the costs of the permit, a 5/8” meter and 2 hours of work. Obviously everyone’s situation is unique. Costs will vary depending on the ease of and time required for the installation (a finished vs unfinished basement, for example), the number of outside faucets you wish to connect to the refund meter, size of meter, etc. etc.

How Much Can I Save?

The following information may be useful in determining if it is worth your effort to participate in the refund program.

Charges for sewer service are distinct from City of DeKalb water charges. Those charges apply in any case.

The DeKalb Sanitary District charges a quarterly fixed-rate per account user charge of $7.50.

Sewer and water charges are billed by the unit. One unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons. The sewer charge for 1 unit of water is $2.60.

Lawn Watering Example
Some lawn “experts” suggest that established lawns need one inch of water (rain, sprinkler or combination) per week in the summer. One square foot, one inch deep = .623 gallons. A 10,000 sq. ft. lawn watered 1 inch deep = 6,230 gallons. 6,230/748 = 8.33 units. 8.33 units x $2.60 = $21.65 per watering event (sewer charge).
Above Ground Pool Example
An above ground, circular swimming pool, 20 feet in diameter with a 4 foot water depth holds 9,400 gallons or 12.56 units. 12.56 units x $2.60 = $32.66 in sewer charges to fill. Evaporation and filter backwash would require additional makeup water.

At $2.60 per unit, you would need to use 9.62 units (7,196 gallons) to cover the annual $25.00 processing fee.

How Do I Find a Plumber?

The DeKalb Sanitary District cannot recommend plumbers. Call the City of DeKalb Department of Building and Community Services at 748-2070 for a list of plumbers registered to do this work in the City of DeKalb.

What sewer pipe belongs to me?

The pipe connecting a business or residence to the public sewer main is called a "private service lateral" or a "house service lateral." It is owned by and is the responsibility of the property owner.

Service Laterals

The length of your private house service sewer lateral can vary according to where on the lot your house sits and where the sewer main is. You own the entire pipe before the connection to the public main, however long a distance that is. That means that you probably do own sewer lateral that passes under the pavement on its way to the main.

Where Is It?

Since 1987 the District has required developers to supply "as-builts" that show where service laterals were installed. However for installations before that time or private installations any time, there is no public record of the work done on private property. We don't know where the private service runs, how long it is, or of what material it was constructed.

How Can I Find Out?

Observations such as looking for pipe exiting your basement or crawl space can be helpful. We can give "educated guesses" of where the public service that probably services your home or residence is. However, the only sure way to know is to hire an experienced plumber to explore this for you.

Why Should I Care?

We urge you to call the DeKalb Sanitary District at 758-3513 first whenever you experience a slow-down or stoppage of your sewer lines. We will send out our crews to check the public sanitary sewers servicing your area to be sure that they are flowing as they should. If not, we will correct that situation and probably relieve your problem as well. In many cases, however, the blockage will be in your private service lateral and will require you or your plumber to clear it.

Preventing Private Problems

Lateral Assistance Program

The DeKalb Sanitary District budgets $15,000 each fiscal year to be spent on a 50/50 basis with the City of DeKalb for grants and loans to homeowners who need financial assistance to make necessary sewer lateral repairs.

How to Apply

It is necessary to make application to this program before the work is done.

Grants and loans are administered on the basis of financial need.

Jamie Smirz
City of DeKalb Office of Community Services
City of DeKalb Municipal Building Annex, Suite A
223 South Fourth Street, DeKalb

accepts applicants to the Block Grant Program.
Call her at 815 748-2371.

To Flush or Not to Flush?

Sewer pipes are designed to carry wastewater and dissolved solids. It is likely that the lateral that joins your residence or place of business is only 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

Your House Service Can't Handle Refuse

Trying to flush disposal diapers, clothing, dirt, gravel, plants, foodstuffs, foils, plastics, or other items that do not quickly dissolve in water will block the sewer lateral leaving your home or business. Your sewage will quickly fill up the distance between the blockage and your residence, and you will find sewage backing up into your basement, bathtub, toilet, or whichever is the lowest point connected to the sewer service lateral.

Even today's "flushable" wipes and sanitary products can block your service lateral if too many are flushed at once or if a clog of partially dissolved material obstructs the flow of water out of your residence or business. Whether you risk flushing such objects instead of disposing of them in other ways depends on how willing you are to pay a plumber or sewer rodder to remove the obstruction if they become caught.

Tree Roots Cause Problems

When trees grow over or too near the house service lateral, tree roots reaching for water will break through the house service lateral and continue to grow. A clump of roots that even patially obscures the service lateral can be the beginning of a clog when toilet paper or wipes that would otherwise slip through the pipe freely get caught up in the roots and grow into a solid mass. The first sign of such a problem is a sewer pipe that won't drain properly when clothes washers drain or dish washers empty. While smaller amounts of water still trickle through the mass, an onrush of more water at once is stopped and "bounces" back into the house or business.

No Grease

Grease that is liquid when you pour it into the drain from your frying pan quickly becomes a stiff, sticky, and insoluble lump inside the pipe. Grease should never be flushed or put down sink drains.

Your House Service Lateral - Your Responsibility

The lateral that joins your home or business to the public main is your private property. You will soon experience a blockage, perhaps with sewer water backing up into a basement or stool.

Before you call a plumber, call us.

If you call us, we will check the public main, but in this case, the public main will be "running fine," indicating that the blockage is in your private line.

Call A Plumber

The only remedy is rodding out the service. It can be messy and costly, and is best avoided by not flushing anything but sanitary waste.

How Can I Save Money on Water and Sewer Charges?

Using only as much water as necessary is a matter not only of economy but also of living responsibly. It's the right thing to do for ourselves, our community and our environment.

How Much Is Enough?

Washing cars, taking baths and showers, washing clothes and dishes are all "necessary" uses of water. But the amount of water used can vary greatly. The consumer can exercise a great deal of control over how much water their home and yard uses daily. Stewardship, not sacrifice, is the aim here.

A Penny Saved

It's the little things that matter most in the long run. Before you think of sacrifices, be sure that you are not unknowingly wasting water.

Don't Flush Money Away

Toilets account for the typical family's greatest daily water use inside the home.

Clean for Less

Kitchen Savers

Yard and Garden Hints

Backups?

Before You Call a Plumber, Call Us

If you live in DeKalb Sanitary District and are experiencing a sewer backup, please contact the DeKalb Sanitary District before you call your plumber.

The District will check the public sewer to make sure the public system is not creating your problem (no cost to you).

If your problem persists after the District informs you that the public system was inspected, cleaned or found to be operating properly, you may then wish to call your plumber to check your private service lateral.

Whose Responsibility?

Private Problems

The sewer pipe (usually 4" or 6") between a building and the public sewer, commonly referred to as the "building sewer" or "service lateral," is the property and responsibility of the building owner.

Problems in private laterals can be caused by cracks or collapsing of the pipe themselves, by improper connections between the lateral and the main and by the intrusion of tree roots into the service lateral. A licensed plumber is the best person to identify the problem for you and help you find solutions. Local plumbers often ask that you call the Sanitary District to rule out a public problem before they investigate a private one.

Public Sewer Problems

The Sanitary District is responsible for the public sanitary sewer system.

You'll see us around town doing preventative flushing of main sewer lines to forestall some of these problems. But we can't always know about backups and slow downs until you call us.

The District can be reached at 758-3513 or at 757-3084 (cell phone) after normal work hours if no answer was received on 758-3513.

Working to Reduce Sewer Problems

Since taking over the responsibility for the "Collection System" (public mains) from the City of DeKalb in 1987, the DeKalb Sanitary District has been working to reduce the number of problems that are caused by the public system.

In 1988 49% of all calls received turned out to have public system causes. In 2007 less than 14% of calls received were caused by problems in the public system.

Reporting Sewer Gas Odors

Property owners should check for and secure any open plumbing waste lines they may have before a problem occurs.

Sewer gas could be flammable, displace oxygen or contain toxic materials that should not be inhaled and could be a serious threat to life and health.

Wastewaters contain small concentrations of dissolved gases. Some of these are carbon dioxide resulting from the decomposition of organic matter, nitrogen dissolved from the atmosphere, dissolved oxygen and hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide gas is toxic. It is heavier than air and will collect in low places. Hydrogen sulfide is responsible for the rotten-egg odor of wastewaters. Only a small amount is enough to cause an odor.

Prevent Problems

Residential plumbing systems have traps. These are curved pipes that collect water. They prevent odors from backing up into the house because the water in the trap acts as an airtight seal that blocks out the odor.

These are all potentially dangerous situations that should be corrected by a qualified plumber at once. They constitute a harmful vapor hazard in the home.

Protect Yourself

Keep Water In All Traps

Water should be added regularly to plumbing fixtures, especially any seldom-used sinks, toilets or floor drains that may have dried out. If any fixtures have not been used in a while, the water in the water-seal traps may have evaporated. That could allow sewer gas and odors to enter your home or business.

Keep Vents Open

If all the traps are full of water and there is still an odor, the problem could be in the vent that carries sewer gas out of the house and lets it exit through a vent in the roof. Vents that have become plugged by leaves or a bird's nest create a potentially serious problem because if the sewer gas cannot escape, it will back up into the home or business. Problems in vents are best handled by a plumber.

Report Problems

If you need to report sewer gas odors at any time, call the Sanitary District at 815 758-3513. While there is an operator on duty at all times, if you are unable to reach the plant at this number, call the non-emergency number of the City of DeKalb Police (815 748-8400) and they will contact us.

If the odor is strong, evacuate the building and make the calls from a neighbor's house. Chances are this is not necessary, but better safe than sorry.

Why is the River Green?

The DeKalb Sanitary District, in cooperation with the City of DeKalb Street Department, conducts cross-flooding tests of the integrity of the sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems.

Cross-flooding is done by introducing dye into the storm sewers. Then closed-circuit television is used to observe any impact on adjacent sanitary sewers. This simulates what happens during rain events.

Doing these tests helps the City of DeKalb and the DeKalb Sanitary District find the leaks and fix them to keep storm water where it belongs when it rains. When the storm sewers are drained, the dye will be visible in the Kishwaukee River.

This dye is non-toxic and will not harm aquatic life.

No changes in the use of water in your home will be necessary. Crews do not need access to homes. There may be some temporary traffic disruption during testing.

Loose or Missing Manhole Covers

We are responsible for sanitary sewers and the City of DeKalb Public Works - Street Department is responsible for street sewers. Both of them have manhole covers that at times become loose.

if you know which is which. Otherwise, call either of us and we'll work together to get the problem corrected.

No Joke

Although it may seem like fun, opening manhole covers is dangerous business. It creates a hazard for pedestrians and an attractive nuisance for small children and pets.

It is unsafe for anyone not properly equipped, trained and monitored to enter any manhole. Accumulations of gases can cause asphyxiation in an instant. There is no warning.

Opening Manhole Covers is Prohibited

If you find an open manhole cover, report it immediately so that we can barricade the potentially dangerous area.

In Case of Street Flooding

Never open sewers to let water escape a flooded street.

If you open a sanitary sewer, you run a great risk of causing a sewage backup in your own and your neighbor's homes or businesses.

Call the City of DeKalb Street Department at 815 748-2040 about street or ground water flooding.

Unauthorized Access

Authorized access is limited to:

Call the DeKalb Sanitary District at 815 758-3513 if you see any unauthorized persons accessing manholes.

Loose or Missing Manhole Covers

We are responsible for sanitary sewers and the City of DeKalb Public Works - Street Department is responsible for street sewers. Both of them have manhole covers that at times become loose.

if you know which is which. Otherwise, call either of us and we'll work together to get the problem corrected.

No Joke

Although it may seem like fun, opening manhole covers is dangerous business. It creates a hazard for pedestrians and an attractive nuisance for small children and pets.

It is unsafe for anyone not properly equipped, trained and monitored to enter any manhole. Accumulations of gases can cause asphyxiation in an instant. There is no warning.

Opening Manhole Covers is Prohibited

If you find an open manhole cover, report it immediately so that we can barricade the potentially dangerous area.

In Case of Street Flooding

Never open sewers to let water escape a flooded street.

If you open a sanitary sewer, you run a great risk of causing a sewage backup in your own and your neighbor's homes or businesses.

Call the City of DeKalb Street Department at 815 748-2040 about street or ground water flooding.

Unauthorized Access

Authorized access is limited to:

Call the DeKalb Sanitary District at 815 758-3513 if you see any unauthorized persons accessing manholes.

Digging?

Call J.U.L.I.E. at 811 or 800 892-0123!

Before digging (even in your own yard), make sure that no sewer main or other utilities cross the path of your excavation. Call JULIE for locating of electric, phone, cable and other utilities. It is now possible to reach JULIE by dialing the three numbers 811 or you can use the toll-free telephone number, which is 800 892-0123.

The DeKalb Sanitary District Responds to J.U.L.I.E. Locate Requests

To prevent damage to the public sewer mains that could cause disruption of service to many homeowners, the DeKalb Sanitary District participates in the JULIE program and marks sewer main whenever there is any possibility that excavators will hit it. The flag color for sewer is green.

District staff respond promptly to JULIE locate requests by:

Even if there is No Public Sewer Present, Don't Cut Your Own Sewer Line!

Even if no public sewer main crosses your property, remember that your home or business does have a private sewer lateral which you own and which connects your property to the public main.

Proceed with Caution

If there is no public infrastructure in your yard, your digging presents no threat to the public utilities, and we will not have to flag before you dig. However, you could still seriously inconvenience yourself by slicing into your private sewer lateral with a shovel or puncturing it with a fence post.

It's Your Property...And Your Responsibility.

Investigate yourself by looking for the location of plumbing leaving your building and identifying its probable path to the main. You can also ask for a plumber's educated opinion of where your private sewer pipe (house lateral) is located.

While digging, watch what you're doing and stop if you see signs of any buried infrastructure.

Working to Provide Better Information in the Future

Especially in the older areas of town, locations of private building laterals were never recorded. They may connect to the "logical" and nearest sewer public pipe so that you can figure out where they must be. But they may have been installed before the nearest public sewer and their placement not "make sense" today. Years ago when some of these pipes were laid, your neighborhood may have looked much different than it does today.

Today, the DeKalb Sanitary District requires "as-built" drawings from every new development so as to be better able to answer home and business owner's questions in the future.

About the J.U.L.I.E. Organization

JULIE, Inc. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) provides homeowners and professional excavators with one place to call for safe digging. JULIE serves as a message handling notification service for underground facility owners, taking information about planned excavations and distributing this information to its membership. It is then the responsibility of each facility owner to mark the location of their underground facilities at the excavation site. Each kind of underground facility owner has an assigned color for flags and/or paint to mark the location of its lines.

To learn more about the JULIE organization, visit their website. The address is http://www.illinois1call.com/.

If you see suspicious dumping to sewers

Local, State and Federal Ordinances prohibit the introduction of toxic substances to any sewer collection system. This activity presents a danger to the community.

Manholes Should Only Be Opened By Authorized Personnel

DeKalb Sanitary District personnel always drive RED District vehicles which are clearly marked.

City of DeKalb personnel may also open manholes, and their ORANGE vehicles also are well-identified.

Contractors of either government may also legally access manholes. See the DeKalb Sanitary District web site or call 815 758-3513 for the names of contractors authorized to open manholes. Call the City of DeKalb Street Department office at 815 748-2040 about their contractors.

Illegal dumping

Unauthorized discharge to public systems does occur throughout the United States by individuals willing to take the risk for financial gain. Individuals who don't mind endangering the health of their community pry open manholes and dump refuse and chemicals into them to avoid the cost of authorized disposal. While there are substantial penalties for individuals caught doing this, some will always try. We ask the community to help us by reporting suspicious activity around manholes.

Illegal dumping disrupts the wastewater treatment plant. The introduction of toxic substances can have a significant impact on our biological treatment processes by killing off populations of the bacteria we utilize in removing the organic pollutants commonly found in wastewater.

Sometimes it is hard to tell whether a manhole is a storm or a sanitary manhole. DeKalb Sanitary District does not use manhole covers that say "sanitary" on them, although some older installations remain that are so marked. Whether illegal dumping is done into the sanitary or the storm manhole, it costs the taxpayer money for cleanup, creates a greater potential for basement backup, and endangers the neighborhood health. Call the DeKalb Sanitary District at 815 758-3513 day or night if you see anyone dumping anything into any manhole or opening any manhole (unless driving a clearly marked City of DeKalb (orange) or DeKalb Sanitary District (red) vehicle. We will work together with the City of DeKalb Street Department to investigate the situation.

Make an Anonymous Report

If you observe suspicious dumping, please do not approach the person doing the dumping. Just call us and tell us what you have seen. A description of the vehicle and a license plate number would be very helpful in our subsequent investigation of this local, state and federal criminal activity. You need not give your name.

Recreational Vehicles

Authorized dumping is only allowed at the treatment plant, never to manholes.

Residents of the District may dump the toilets of their personal, non-commercially used recreational vehicles without charge at the District at 303 Hollister Avenue between the hours of 7 AM and 3 PM on weekdays.

If you have never dumped your recreational vehicle here before, please stop at the administration office for directions on how and where to do this.

Permitted Dumping

Properly registered septic haulers are permitted for fee dumping (3 cents per gallon at this time) of limited amounts of normal strength residential sewage at the District under regulated and tested conditions.

To protect our delicate ecosystem, septic haulers must obtain permission and an appointment to dump each time they wish to do so, and amounts allowed each day are limited to a total of 3000 gallons from all sources. The hauler must document where and when the wastewater was received, and leave a sample for testing. The truck and hauler's license number and the driver's name are also documented at each visit.

To have credentials reviewed in preparation for making an application to dump septic system wastewater at the plant, call the District and speak with Michael Zima District Manager at 815 758-3513.

The following documentation, at a minimum, will be necessary to have your septic hauler application reviewed for acceptance:

  1. Illinois Driver’s License – current and valid – for each driver who will be using truck
  2. State of Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal System Pumping Contractor License – current and valid. (Does not apply to Porta Pottys.)
  3. DeKalb County Septic Pumper’s license – current and valid. (Does not apply to Porta Pottys.)
  4. License plate number of each vehicle that is will be used to deliver septage
  5. Maximum Capacity (in gallons) of each vehicle that is being used. (Greater than 3000 gallons is not allowed.)
  6. Business name and address and phone
  7. Business owner name and address and phone (if different)
  8. Billing address (if different)
  9. MSDS sheets – Porta Potty chemical(s)

Toxic To You?

Don't Put These Common Hazards Down Any Drains

Potentially hazardous substances include:

Garage

Kitchen and Laundry

Home Remodeling

Yard and Garden

Bathroom

Other

Any of these could cause injury to people and to the collection system.

Dispose Wisely

Instead of flushing any of these, read the labels on the bottles or cans to get instructions for safe disposal or recycling.

IEPA Hazardous Household Waste Collections

Call the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Reduction Unit at 217.785.8604 for information on Hazardous Waste Collections throughout the state.

Long-Term Facilities for Disposal of Household Hazardous Wastes as listed by the IEPA:

More information is available from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.state.il.us/land/hazardous-waste/household-haz-waste/index.html.

Problems Waiting To Happen

Nonhazardous substances can cause other problems to the collection system. Of particular concern are fats, oils and grease. Introduction of large amounts of these substances to the public wastewater system is against the law.

Prevent Grease Buildup and Clogged Drains

Monitoring New Sewer Installations

To prevent inflow and infiltration problems tomorrow, the DeKalb Sanitary District maintains strict specifications and standards for the construction of all new private and public sanitary sewers.

Help with Planning

Local standards govern material specifications, installation and quality assurance testing requirements for any sanitary sewers that will be tributary to the District's wastewater collection and treatment systems.

The District takes an active role before, during, and after the installation of new infrastructure in its facilities planning area. An initial consultation is without cost. Further plan review fees as established by Ordinance #496 (passed March 15, 2006) are assessed based on the size and complexity of the project.

Is there Capacity for New Development?

The Sanitary District's responsibility is to see that expansion does not negatively impact on either the collection system or the treatment plant so as to threaten the area's water quality.

"P.E." refers to "population equivalent." One P.E. equals 100 gallons per day of water usage per person. Proposed new development is assessed on the basis of its proposed P.E. contribution to the sewer flow demands in the area. An Efficiency or Studio Apartment has a P.E. of 1, a one-bedroom Apartment is 1.5, a two or three-bedroom apartment is 3 and a private home is 3.5. A mobile home has a P.E. of 2.25.

The District Decides

Any new construction of sufficient P.E. requires Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Construction and Operation Permits. Part of the application process is the DeKalb Sanitary District's input about its ability to handle the increased flow.

If an area already has as much population as the collection system and the treatment plant can handle, the DeKalb Sanitary District cannot approve the IEPA Construction Permit Application.

Quality Assurance Testing

Quality of installations is also monitored by the District. Infrastructure that will endure and that will not create problems for local homeowners in the future is the goal. Plans must be submitted to and approved by the District before the granting of City of DeKalb building permits. The District offers the developer review comments throughout the design process to help them meet quality requirements.

During the construction phase, DeKalb Sanitary District personnel perform quality assurance testing of all new sewers to assure system integrity before allowing occupancy permits to be issued. "As-builts" are required at the completion of each project so that the location and details of all new infrastructure can be recorded in the mapping systems maintained jointly by the District and the City of DeKalb.

Preventing Tomorrow's Problems Today

Many residents have been frustrated by being told that the District has no way of knowing where the sewer lateral installed forty years ago exits the home or where it enters the main. Atypical and undesirable placements across neighboring properties have been discovered in the older sections of the City. Sanitary District personnel work hard to leave a legacy for the future that will insure that infrastructure built today stands the test of time.

Providing for Future Expansion

Each new residential or commercial development adds to the load on the treatment plant which has a finite capacity to treat sewage. When the amount of wastewater flowing into the plant exceeds its design capacity, the plant must be expanded. As developments on the edges of the District's boundaries apply for annexation to the District and expand those boundaries, sanitary infrastructure must be expanded and enlarged.

Because of its responsibility to the future, the current Board of Trustees collects funds and sets them aside for future plant expansion needs. The money collected from connection fees is set aside to be used in expansion of the treatment plant. Annexation fees are applied towards the cost of expanding the collection infrastructure into new areas.

New Construction Requirements

The DeKalb Sanitary District takes care to insure that new sanitary sewer infrastructure is of a type and quality that will serve the citizens of the District well in the future.

Before Construction Begins

Meet with Michael Zima, District Manager early in your project planning. Understanding DeKalb Sanitary District and Environmental Protection Agency procedures, rules and regulations will help avoid delays in your project schedule.

Annexation or Pre-Annexation
If the property is not already in the Sanitary District, annexation or pre-annexation procedures must be implemented. The fee for annexation is $3,000 per acre.
Plan Review
The District reviews all plans associated with each project. Plan review fees as established by Ordinance #496 (passed March 15, 2006) are assessed based on the size and complexity of the project.
  • An initial meeting with property owner or developer (concept meeting) at no cost.
  • Upon submission of formal plans (beyond concept drawings) a minimum, non-refundable administrative fee of $1000.00 is due.
  • The final administration fee (payable at permit processing) will be 1% of engineer's estimate for the sanitary portion of the project minus the initial $1000.00 plus any District out of pocket expenses.
  • All outstanding or additional fees owed the District must be paid in full prior to any sewer activation.
Wastewater Assessment
The quantity in gallons and the pounds of concentration of Biological Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solids and Nitrogen Ammonia for the proposed wastewater must be assessed to determine if downstream sewers, as well as the treatment works can handle the additional loads.
Sewer Construction Permits
The District must approve and sign-off on all permit applications which must then be approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The IEPA has a permit fee, and IEPA review of the application and issuance of permits can take up to 40 days.
Discharge Permit (if required)
The discharge of certain chemicals and heavy metals is strictly regulated by the District and by State and Federal Environmental Agencies. If these may be present in the wastewater discharge, pretreatment may be required before the waste from the facility is accepted. Regular testing will take place to assure that discharge limits of regulated chemicals and metals are not being exceeded.

During Construction

Sewer System Isolation
The District will install isolation plugs to protect the "live" downstream sanitary sewers from extraneous water and debris during the sewer construction process. The plugs cannot be removed until the new sewers have passed the required tests and inspections. Tampering with or removal of the isolation plugs is a violation of DeKalb Sanitary District Ordinance No. 259. Any person violating said ordinance provision is subject to fines, legal action and immediate arrest.
Acceptable Construction Standards
The material types and construction methods must comply with District and IEPA requirements. As a minimum these standards must be adhered to:
  1. "Standard Specifications For Water and Sewer Main Construction in Illinois"
  2. "Illinois Design Standards For Sewage Works"
  3. "DeKalb Sanitary District Standard Details"

After Construction Before Acceptance

Quality Assurance
The new system will be inspected for conformance with standards. All costs associated with the quality assurance testing are the developer's responsibility. Testing and inspection will include the following:
  1. Low-pressure air test for sewer piping and laterals.
  2. Manhole integrity testing.
  3. Deflection testing on all flexible pipe.
  4. Pipe lamping.
  5. Pipe televising.
Record Drawings
The developer must supply the District with two sets of Record Drawings that indicate the final placement and actual materials used. The Record Drawings must include the following:
  1. The rim and invert elevations of each manhole.
  2. The percent grade, size, pipe material and distance from manhole to manhole.
  3. The distance from a defined manhole to each service wye or tee.
  4. The location of laterals at lot property lines (measured from lot line pins).
  5. Size and material of laterals installed.
Connection Fees
A connection fee in the amount of $215.00 per Population Equivalent is required before permission to connect to the sanitary sewer is granted. One P.E. is defined as 100 gallons of wastewater per person per day. For example, a single family home is rated at 3.5 P.E. and will have a connection fee of $752.50. Connection fees are payable directly to the District by anyone desiring to connect to any sanitary sewer within the District or otherwise served by the District.
GASB 34 Requirements
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board requires government agencies to list their infrastructure assets. If a development's sanitary infrastructure is going to be dedicated and accepted by the DeKalb Sanitary District as public system, the costs associated with the installation of the sanitary system are to be provided to the Sanitary District.

Facilities Plan

A Living Document
The DeKalb Sanitary District maintains a Facilities Plan that outlines the District's plans for expansion of treatment and collection capacity to meet the needs of its community. While the District has a stance of responding to development rather than initiating it, intensive study has been done to provide for the demands the growth of the area places on the District. The plan is updated on a regular basis to keep pace with changes in our community.

Plan Review Fees

The District reviews all plans associated with each project. Plan review fees as established by Ordinance #496 (passed March 15, 2006) are assessed based on the size and complexity of the project.

DeKalb Sanitary District Standard Notes and Details

DeKalb Sanitary District's Standard Notes and Details (all 5 sheets) are to be attached to your plans verbatim.

District Notes and Details are in addition to “Standard Specifications For Water and Sewer Main Construction in Illinois” and “Illinois Design Standards For Sewage Works.”

District Notes and Details, as well as the state specifications, will govern acceptable materials and quality assurance testing and inspections.

Other Notes about Projects from Michael Zima, District Manager

Call before beginning your project for directions specific to your situation (815 758-3513).

Plan Review, Project Administration and Inspection Fees

Upon submission of formal plans (beyond concept drawings and an initial meeting), a minimum non-refundable administration fee of $1,000.00 is due. The final administration fee (payable at IEPA permit processing) will be 1% of the/your engineer’s estimate for the sanitary portion of the project (minus the initial $1,000.00). The owner/developer will also be required to pay for any retained personnel expenses and/or out of pocket expenses incurred by the District (these expenses include but are not limited to costs and fees for legal and engineering services, planners and/or other experts retained by the District, publication costs, rental of meeting facilities, over-time for staff, etc.). All outstanding or additional fees owed the District are to be paid in full prior to any sewer activation.

IEPA Permits

If Illinois Law requires an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Sewer Construction Permit for your project, and provided all annexation, plat and/or easement issues have been completed and are acceptable to the District, and upon submission of two District-approved “FINAL” or “ISSUED FOR CONSTRUCTION” plan sets and at least three (original signatures) IEPA Construction Permit Applications (with appropriate schedules), the District will approve and “sign-off” on the IEPA applications. Note that your final administration/inspection fee is due at this juncture.

Connection Fee

The DeKalb Sanitary District Connection Fee is currently $215 per Population Equivalent (P.E.). One P.E. = 100 gallons per day of water usage. The Connection Fees are due and payable to DeKalb Sanitary District immediately prior to submission of your Building Permit application to the City of DeKalb. The District must sign off on your application prior to City acceptance.

The District has established a fee schedule for residential construction. However commercial and industrial connection fees are established on type of business, number of employees and customers, process water consumption, water usage at similar installations, etc. etc.

PLEASE CONTACT THE DEKALB SANITARY DISTRICT TO DISCUSS THE DETERMINATION OF YOUR CONNECTION FEE.

Quality Assurance

Please be aware that Quality Assurance (QA) inspections and tests are required for your project. Presumably, your contractor will perform the QA testing work or subcontract it to a company that performs these services. Your contractor must initiate discourse with us as to his schedule and readiness for inspections and/or test observation. After contact by the contractor, the District will schedule inspectors to perform QA inspections and/or observe QA testing. The contractor should provide us with at least 24 hours notice so we can effectively schedule our manpower.

Record Drawings Required

The developer shall supply the District with two sets of record drawings, one set is to be a Mylar copy and one set is to be a blueline or "Xerox" copy. The record drawings shall indicate any changes from original plans. The record drawings shall include the following: 1) the rim and invert elevations (USGS/MSL datum). 2) the % grade, size, pipe material and distance from manhole to manhole. 3) the distance from a defined manhole to each service wye or tee and the location of laterals at property lines (measured from lot line pins). 4) size & material service laterals are made of. Record drawings are to be labeled "record drawings", and dated and signed by an engineer licensed in the State of Illinois.

GASB 34 Requirements

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board requires government agencies to list their infrastructure assets. If your development's sanitary infrastructure is going to be dedicated and accepted by the DeKalb Sanitary District as public system, the costs associated with the installation of the sanitary system are to be provided to the Sanitary District. Copies of contracts or project lien waivers that include all sanitary installation costs will be acceptable. Please note that many infrastructure contracts also include water main and storm sewer installations. The District is only concerned with the sanitary infrastructure costs. Therefore the costs may need to be broken-out or the contract formulated to reflect individual costs for sanitary, storm and water main.

Project Completion/Acceptance for Service

To achieve an “acceptance for service” status for your sewer project, any deficiencies must be corrected prior to a final inspection by the District. Any outstanding fees and/or required project documentation must be received by and found to be acceptable by the District.

Activation (making the sewer available for use) will not occur until all requirements have been successfully resolved and completed.

Annexation and Annexation Fees

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency identifies a "Facilities Planning Area" (F.P.A.) for each P.O.T.W. (Publicly-Owned Treatment Works).

DeKalb Sanitary District Facilities Planning Area

Only properties within the F.P.A. can become part of the DeKalb Sanitary District and be serviced by it. Petitions for annexation are approved or denied by the Board of Trustees. If approved, annexation is accomplished by the passage of an annexation ordinance at a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Requirements for Annexation

The owner of property that is contiguous with District property (and within its F.P.A.) may petition the Board of Trustees for permission to annex to the District and receive its services. In some situations pre-annexation agreements to allow service to a property that lies close to but not contiguous with District boundaries are also possible.

Annexation Fee

The fee for annexation is $3,000 per acre.

Questions about Annexation?

Contact Michael Zima, District Manager at 815 758-3513 for more information about annexation and pre-annexation requirements and procedures.

Changes to the F.P.A.

The F.P.A. system was devised to help plan for potential sanitary service into areas that are rural, undeveloped or on septic systems. Changing a property from another F.P.A. to DeKalb Sanitary District's F.P.A. requires the approval of an "F.P.A. Boundary Modification Permit" by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Boundary modification requests must include a letter from a property owner stating the desire to be placed in another F.P.A., a legal description and drawing of the subject property and a letter from the other P.O.T.W. involved agreeing to the proposed modification. The DeKalb Sanitary District can help with this. Call Michael Zima, District Manager, at 815 758-3513.

Annexation Fees Do Not Apply to Current Users

Annexation fees are charged on new property being brought into the DeKalb Sanitary District. The annexation fee does not apply to current users.

Connection Fee

A connection fee for each new hookup to the sanitary system was established with the passage of Ordinance 464 on November 20, 2002. Connection fees are specifically dedicated to support the capital costs associated with the service area’s need for additional wastewater treatment works due to new construction.

The Connection Fee Charged is Proportional to Increased Demand on the Collection and Wastewater Treatment System

A connection fee in the amount of $215.00 per Population Equivalent is payable directly to the District by anyone desiring to connect to any sanitary sewer within the District or otherwise served by the District.

One Population Equivalent (P.E.) is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as 100 gallons of wastewater per person per day.

Connection Fee Charges are Based on IEPA Estimates for Usage

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUBTITLE C: WATER POLLUTION, CHAPTER II: Part 370, as well as Section 370 Appendix A, Table No. 1 present these Resident Occupancy Criteria.

Connection Fees are charged only on property hooking up to the DeKalb Sanitary District after May 1, 2003.

Grease Trap Requirements

As of a July 19, 2006 amendment to Ordinance #387, the use of manhole style grease interceptors has been disallowed in new restaurants. A large vault style interceptor is the minimum District standard.

Anyone involved in the remodeling or construction of a restaurant of any size should contact Michael Zima, District Manager at the DeKalb Sanitary District for an appointment to discuss grease trap specifications. Call 815 758-3513 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Restaurant Grease Trap Inspections

Preventing Problems for Nearby Homes and Businesses

Every year District staff receives and responds to calls regarding sewer blockages caused by the discharge of F.O.G. (fats, oils and grease) from food establishments.

Saving Big Money

The facility responsible for such blockages is liable for the costs to clean and clear the sewer line and possibly for any costs for damage done to adjoining properties, as well as for fines up to $1000.00 per day for violation of local ordinances.

Preventing Denial of Service

Regulations may also require the installation of a larger, more efficient grease trap. It is even possible that the offender might be disconnected from sewer service to halt or prevent a discharge that presents an imminent endangerment to the health or welfare of the population.

Ways for Restaurants to Avoid Fines

Never pour used grease, fats and oils down the sink drain. Adding hot water, detergent, or even commercial degreasers* does not help. Grease that is liquefied will still become solid again when it enters the public system.

*The use of additives (chemical or biological) or hot water to emulsify grease and allow it to pass through a grease trap circumvents the purpose of the trap and is therefore not acceptable.

It is highly recommended that an external storage bin be used to collect fats, oils and grease generated in the preparation of food. This grease can then be hauled away by a scavenger company for proper disposal. F.O.G. should be deposited in these grease bins and not dumped down a sanitary sewer where it will congeal and plug up the sewer line.

Inspection Programs

DeKalb Sanitary District staff make unscheduled random visits to food service license holders to:

Existing Establishments

While existing retaurants and food service establishments are allowed to use interior or the smaller type of exterior grease trap that was legal at the time of their construction as long as they do not contribute grease to the sanitary sewer lines, it is recommended that they "upgrade" to the current specifications. Problems with grease clogging sewer lines in their vicinity or discovery, upon inspection, of improperly maintained grease traps will result in a mandate to install the required type.

If you have any questions regarding these very important issues, please call the DeKalb Sanitary District at 815 758-3513.

Industrial Pretreatment

Water pollution makes waters unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. The Clean Water Act prohibits anybody from discharging pollutants into the waters of the United States unless they have an NPDES (NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM PERMIT PROGRAM) permit.

The Clean Water Act

Substances regulated as pollutants under the Clean Water Act include:

The DeKalb Sanitary District has an NPDES permit that regulates the treatment plant's discharge to the Kishwaukee. The DeKalb Sanitary District empties into the water of the south branch of the Kishwaukee River. Since this is a very small body of water, limits are stringent.

Through the Local Limits program, DSD regulates discharges that enter the collection system so that the treatment plant's NPDES Permit Limits can be met. It administers monitoring and permitting system for significant contributors of regulated substances.

Monitoring Significant Industrial Users

DeKalb Sanitary District provides monitoring under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act for a number of "Significant Industrial Users" who by virtue of the amount or type of pollutants they might produce require regular testing to prove the safety of their discharge as a condition of their permit to discharge to the DeKalb Sanitary District.

Local Industries

If local industries meet the criteria established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, the District samples and tests their effluent to ensure that local and federal discharge limits for potentially harmful substances are not exceeded.

Some of these industries are required to do "pretreatment" to reduce the amounts of identified substances in their wastewater before discharging it.

Questions about the Industrial Pretreatment Program?

Call Mike Zima, District Manager at 815 758-3513.

Abandon or Reuse Old Laterals?

If a sewer pipe no longer in use is sealed off, it becomes a source of ground water inflow into the sanitary system and increases the likelihood of sewer backups in the residences and businesses near it.

Demolition Projects

As part of any building demolition project, where the building discharged sanitary wastewater to the Sanitary District, the lateral or laterals must be located, marked and temporarily or permanently capped in a watertight manner.

If you are abandoning sewer laterals, call the District at 815 758-3513 for specifications on what to do and to schedule an inspection.

Re-Use of Old Laterals

District regulations allow the re-use of existing sewer laterals if they are found to be sound and in an acceptable condition.

Call the District at 815 758-3513 to schedule an inspection to assess the potential for re-use.

Conditions of Approval for Re-Use

The Sanitary District will investigate each lateral and determine its integrity with a miniature television camera inspection. Its structural condition will be assessed by noting things like evidence of leakage (past or present), root intrusion, cracks or other infirmities anywhere along the lateral, up to and including the point of attachment to the public main.

Depending upon the condition of the sewer lateral, the District will instruct the property owner on how it may be reused or abandoned.

Abandonment of Septic Systems

District and County Health Department regulations require that a septic tank scheduled for abandonment be cleaned of sludge, the bottom perforated so as to permit adequate drainage and the tank then filled with gravel, sand or compacted dirt.

Sewer Rate Increase effective January 1, 2010

PRESS RELEASE (issued December 23, 2009)

The DeKalb Sanitary District is happy to report that two recently initiated facility rehabilitation and replacement projects (Biosolids Rehabilitation Project and Country Club Lift Station Improvements Project), with a combined budget of 23 million dollars, are being funded with an IEPA loan for $10 million and a Federal Stimulus loan for $10 million. Both loans are for 20 years at 0.0% interest and $5 million of the stimulus loan doesn't need to be paid back! The reminder of the project cost is being funded through monies on hand. As a result, there is a substantial savings for folks within the District.

Unfortunately, routine costs continue to rise causing the operation and maintenance of our systems to become ever more expensive, therefore, necessitating an increase of $2.00 per month for an average family using 3000 cubic feet of water every quarter. This increase was foreseen last year. However, at that time we were anticipating needing to raise the rate by double this amount. Due to the stimulus monies and the no interest loans, we are able to keep the increase at a much lower rate.

The DeKalb Sanitary District continues to strive toward enhancing essential services while complying with current and pending environmental protection regulations at the lowest possible cost to our community. Our rehabilitation and replacement projects are predicated on that philosophy.

Payable on Bills Received in April 2010 and thereafter

The user rate will increase from $2.40 to $2.60 (+$0.20) per unit of metered water usage. One unit = 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons. The rate increase becomes effective January 1, 2010 and is payable on bills received in April, 2010 and thereafter. For an average family using 30 units (3000 cubic feet or 22,440 gallons) per quarter, the increase will be $6.00 per quarterly billing. This equates to a monthly increase of $2.00.

Sewer User Rate Comparison

Agency Residential User Rate
Unit (100 cf)		 FixedCharge$ Billing Period Annual Cost
for Single-Family Home
(171 Units)
Downers Grove Sanitary District $1.24 $8.50 monthly $314.04
Town of Cortland $0.00 $82.50 quarterly $330.00
Northern Moraine Water Reclamation District $0.00 $84.50 quarterly $338.00
Rock River Reclamation District $1.99 $2.50 none $350.29
City of Geneva $2.09 $0.77 monthly $366.63
City of Sterling $1.70 $7.35 monthly $378.90
Village of Elburn $2.00 $5.00 monthly $402.00
City of McHenry $2.17 $6.00 bi-month $407.07
City of Woodstock $2.44 $0.00 none $417.24
Fox Metro Water Reclamation District $2.45 $0.00 quarterly $418.95
City of Genoa $2.27 $5.25 monthly $451.17
Yorkville-Bristol Sanitary District see Note 1 bi-month $456.66
DeKalb Sanitary District $2.60 $7.50 quarterly $474.60
City of Sycamore $2.87 $0.00 none $490.77
City of Belvidere $2.00 $13.00 monthly $498.00
City of Batavia $2.52 $5.68 monthly $499.08
City of St. Charles $2.54 $8.56 monthly $537.06
Village of Wauconda see Note 2 quarterly $657.08
City of Sandwich $4.26 $5.00 none $748.46
City of Rochelle $4.27 $4.40 monthly $782.97
City of Rock Falls see Note 3 monthly $862.08
Note 1) $1.10 per Unit, but has a $76.11 bi-monthly minimum.
Note 2) $27.01 for 1st 6000 gallons, then $5.25 per 1000 gallons.
Note 3) $34.15 for 1st three units, and then $3.35 per unit (748 gallons).
All User Fees were converted to units of 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) Some agencies bill in units of 1000 gallons.
A Single-Family Home was estimated to have 3.5 people utilizing 100 gallons per person per day =171 units per year.

ORDNANCE NO. 528

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CHARGES FOR THE USE OF AND SERVICE SUPPLIED BY THE DEKALB SANITARY DISTRICT

WHEREAS, DeKalb Sanitary District, DeKalb County, Illinois, is presently operating facilities for the collection and treatment of sewage to promote the health, safety, comfort and convenience of its inhabitants and for the safe-guarding of water resources, and

WHEREAS, it is necessary and in the public interest that user charges be sufficient to pay for the operation, maintenance and replacement expenses of the system, and

WHEREAS, the present user charges as provided in Ordinance No. 259, Section 6, (as amended by Ordinance No. 347, Ordinance No. 372, Ordinance No. 481, Ordinance No. 506, Ordinance No. 524 and Ordinance No. 517) entitled “Wastewater Service Charges” have been determined by the Board of Trustees of the District to be insufficient to pay for the operation, maintenance and replacement expenses of the system including but not necessarily limited to labor, administration expenses, utilities, chemicals, supplies and equipment replacements, and

WHEREAS, it is the duty and responsibility of the Board of Trustees of the DeKalb Sanitary District to establish and maintain user charges sufficient to operate and maintain the facilities of the District;

NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby ordained by the Board of Trustees of the DeKalb Sanitary District, DeKalb, Illinois, as follows:

SECTION 1

That this ordinance is an amendment to Ordinance No. 259 (as amended by Ordinance No. 347, Ordinance No. 372, Ordinance No. 481, Ordinance No. 506, Ordinance No. 524 and Ordinance No. 517) entitled An ordinance amending and replacing Ordinance #219 as amended providing for the regulation and use of public and private sewers and drains, private sewage disposal, the installation and connection of building sewers and the discharge of waters and wastes into the public sewer system of DeKaIb Sanitary District, DeKalb County, Illinois: establishing charges for the use of a service supplied by said system and for connection thereto and providing penalties for violations thereof. That on the effective date of this Ordinance #219 as amended by Ordinance #233, #227, #234, #235 and #253 shall be repealed and replaced by this Ordinance.

SECTION 2

That Section 6, “Wastewater Service Charges”, paragraph D and E, of Ordinance No. 259 (as amended by Ordinance #506) is amended as follows:

SECTION 3

The effective date of this Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 259 by establishing a change in sanitary sewer user charges shall be January 1, 2010.

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after passage, approval and publication as of the effective date as stated in this Ordinance.

Passed and approved this 16th day of December, 2009.

Signed by TIMOTHY STRUTHERS, Vice President

Attested by Carol B. Zar, Clerk