Bay using grant funds to inspect residential laterals

Whitefish Bay - Using a $180,000 grant from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the village will televise private sewer laterals at 386 houses in sewer basin three, on the south side of the village. The area abuts Shorewood and has been flood prone even with rainfalls of smaller amounts. The Village Board approved the pilot program and spending at its meeting Monday night.

The private property infill and infiltration program, recommended by consultant Donohue and Associates, would allow the village to determine the condition of the sewer laterals, whether they need rehabilitation, replacement or are in acceptable condition.

Trustee Kevin Buckley said consultants suspect that foundation drains may be a bigger contributor of I & I to the sewer system but fixing the laterals will help determine the impact of extending the program village wide. The village will have measurements to indicate how much clear water is removed from the system once the lateral upgrades are done.

"This is an analysis piece," Trustee Jim Roemer said. "There will be proactive ordinance changes to follow."

Roemer said the PPII Committee, which has been studying upgrades to the sanitary and storm sewer systems, has been discussing the financing of lateral upgrades. The committee will likely recommend the village borrow money, making use of its ability to get a lower interest rate, and then assess residents the individual charge for the laterals. The repayment would be done over a period of years.