Sanitary Sewer

Public works utilities is responsible for inspecting and maintaining the collection system infrastructure, sanitary lift stations and ensuring uninterrupted collection of wastewater. Sanitary waste is transported to Metropolitan Council sewer mains then to the Sewage Treatment Plant in Shakopee.

Orono Sewer System

The city maintains over 61 miles of pipe, 1188 manholes and 46 Lift Stations in its sanitary sewer system. The Sanitary sewer systems is located in the Navarre area and around the Highway 12 Corridor. Other areas of the City are serviced by privately owned Septic systems.

• Newcomers to Orono can get help from city staff members to establish a water and sewer account for their property by calling 952-249-4600. The utility billing page of the website also includes information about how to start and stop service as well information about specific utility accounts.
• If you own a home or business connected to the city’s sanitary sewer system, you are responsible for maintaining the sewer line from your house or business to the point where it connects with the main sewer line in the street. If sewer cleaning is required in that area, it is your responsibility to contact a plumber or sewer cleaning contractor to clean out the line. It is important to have the pipe televised before cleaning to avoid cutting any intersecting gas, power or cable line
• Sewer Backups
• Lift Stations: There are 46 sanitary sewer lift and grinder stations in Orono. These lift stations pump wastewater from low points in the gravity sewer lines into force mains to convey the wastewater to the top of the hills. If lift stations are not operating properly, there is a potential for wastewater backups into nearby homes. Watch for alarms such as a red light at the top. If you see the alarm going off or hear a buzzer, please call the Public Works Department immediately to report a lift station alarm. All lift stations have a sign with the station number and address on them. Please provide this information when reporting an alarm.
• Each year, the Public Works cleans approximately one-fifth of the city’s sanitary sewer lines. Lines requiring a higher level of maintenance are cleaned annually. This routine maintenance helps to prevent blockages and backups.

Sanitary Sewer Cleaning

The sanitary sewer lines are cleaned using high performance sewer cleaning equipment. A cleaning nozzle is propelled from one manhole to the next using water under high pressure. The nozzle is then pulled back to the starting manhole. As the nozzle is pulled back, water scours the inside of the sanitary sewer pipe. Any debris in the pipe is pulled back with the water. The debris is removed from the manhole with a vacuum unit. If roots are found, they are cut with a root cutter. This process is repeated on every sewer line cleaned.