Title
Resolution to Adopt the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund Project Plan for the Footing Drain Disconnect Program ($6,830,000.00 Over 5 Years)
Memorandum
This is to recommend approval of the attached resolution adopting the Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund (SWQIF) project plan for the Footing Drain Disconnect (FDD) Program, which is required to secure low-interest State loans. City Council adopted a project plan and SWQIF applications for this project on June 16, 2003 (R-234-6-03). As a result, beginning in 2004 the City was awarded annual SWQIF loans through 2008 for a total of $4,510,000.00.
Under Act 451, the State of Michigan developed the SWQIF to protect and preserve the natural resources of Michigan by providing low-interest loans to communities for the design and construction of water pollution control projects. Although the exact interest rate has not yet been determined, the interest rate for these loans is typically set below market rate for 20 years.
This project plan details the implementation of the City’s FDD program, which began with a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) prevention study in 1999. Historically, large rain events have caused widespread basement backups throughout the City. The SSO Task Force study determined that during heavy storms, rainwater from home footing drains overloads the sanitary sewer system and is the primary cause of basement backups. It was also determined that even homes with no current basement backup problems were significant contributors to the basement backup problem for neighboring homes. The SSO study identified five study areas, where more than 50% of the basement backups had occurred. After reviewing alternative solutions, the SSO Task Force recommended the implementation of a comprehensive citywide footing drain disconnection program in order to reduce the amount of rainwater flowing into the sanitary sewer system. This solution protects downstream residents and the river environment,...
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