Snowmelt affects treatment plant

WILLMAR -- The Willmar Public Works Department is reminding property owners that discharging sump pump flows into the sanitary sewer system is a violation of ordinance and any property owner found in violation of the ordinance is subject to a fine of $100 per day.

During the spring snowmelt, the department said the city wastewater treatment plant is recording extremely high flows, which are beginning to stress the collection system and treatment plant. The department said the plant is unnecessarily treating clean water.

The news release said department employees will be out this week inspecting neighborhoods.

To reduce the risk of property damage and sewer backups, city officials ask property owners to please route their sump pump discharges outside.