Tools for Local Government

Reduce I/I in your community

Many communities have reduced I/I in publicly owned sewer infrastructure. But up to 80% of the I/I comes from private property. Use these tools to educate home and property owners about how to reduce I/I on their property.

Basics for property owners

Is your sump pump causing sewer backups? pdf example image
About Sump Pumps 
(pdf)

You can reduce inflow and infiltration pdf example image
You Can Reduce
I/I 
(pdf)

Reducing inflow and infiltration benefits you and your community pdf example imageCommunity Benefits (pdf)

Reduce your risk of a sewer backup! pdf example imageReduce Risk (pdf)

Newsletter inserts: Focused topics

Handout: In-depth information for property owners

Protecting your health and home: reducing inflow and infiltration (pdf)Protecting your health and home: reducing inflow and infiltration (pdf)
Protecting your health and home, while reducing utility fees, starts with you. Learn how inflow and infiltration costs property owners and communities, and what you can do to identify and correct issues on your property.

  I/I Photo Gallery

  I/I Glossary

Ongoing I/I Mitigation Program

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services provides financial incentives for communities to reduce excessive I/I in the wastewater system from public and private sources. Since the program began in 2004, metro area communities have invested more than $165 million to repair local wastewater infrastructure.

Inflow/Infiltration Grant Programs

The 2020 Municipal I/I Grant Program consists of $5M in bonding bill funding for the purpose of providing grants to municipalities for capital improvements to public infrastructure to mitigate I/I.

Grant applications were due on April 16, 2021. Late applicants are not guaranteed a spot in the program and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The I/I Grant Program is available to communities in the metro area that have been recognized by the Met Council as an excessive I/I contributor or have a measurable flow rate within 20% of the allowable flow limit.

Eligible work includes:

  • Pipe lining and replacement
  • Pipe joint sealing and chimney seals
  • Manholes – lining, replacement
  • Manhole sealing joints, castings, covers
  • Flood mitigation
  • Cross connection elimination

Noneligible work:

  • Studies, investigations, or investigations
  • Engineering costs
  • Any improvements to privately owned infrastructure or private service lines

Qualified spending must occur between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

A virtual information session on the 2020 grant program was held in January 2021. Meeting materials from that information session are available below.

The Council is advocating for additional funding from the state in the 2022 legislative session for future grants.

More information

Send questions or comments to i.i@metc.state.mn.us

For program information, contact Walter Atkins at 651-602-1173 or Walter.Atkins@metc.state.mn.us

For grant information, contact Matt Gsekkmeier at 651-602-1802 or Matthew.Gsellmeier@metc.state.mn.us