PLUMBING • SEWER & WATER LINE REPLACEMENT • PIPE LINING
carlsonduluth.com • (218) 727-0063
HELPING OUR CUSTOMERS “GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.”
Carlson Duluth Plumbing
When it’s time to repair your old sewer lines — CARLSON DULUTH Plumbing will discuss your options
OPTION 1 TRENCH REPLACEMENT SYSTEM
Our excavating services are designed to meet our client’s needs with solutions for install and repair of sewer and water pipes. Our staff handles light commercial and residential sewer and water installation, replacement, and repair.
OPTION 2 TRENCHLESS PIPE REPAIR
Perma-Liner™ is the alternative to digging and replacement of water and sewer lines for residential and commercial properties. Most jobs can be completed in a two-day process with less mess and renews your pipe life to a minimum 50 years. Perma-Liner™ can also bridge missing sections of pipe, eliminate root intrusion and relines any pipe materials.
GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP KEEP LAKE SUPERIOR CLEAN — APPLY FOR MONEY TO UPGRADE YOUR PRIVATE SANITARY SEWER SERVICE LINE
We all want to keep Lake Superior clean. But did you know that your private sewer service line, the one going from your house to the street, could be contributing to the lake’s pollution?
Over time, many private sewer service lines have cracked or have collapsed. When storms and snow melt inundate Duluth, the clear water gets into the private service lines, which overwhelms the sanitary sewer system, and sewer water leaks into the ground. As a result, sewage can back up onto the street and end up in the lake. You may not realize that your home’s service line no longer functions properly. Broken lines can also cause sewer backups in your home.
HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS: Your sewer service line can be upgraded in several ways, and The City of Duluth’s residential grant program can help with the replacement costs. Property owners must be approved for the grant before the work begins. Contact Sandy Mass, City of Duluth Utility Operators at 730-4064, or find more information here.
Protecting our Families and Environment
SOLVING THE INFLOW AND INFILTRATION (I&I) PROBLEM
Most communities around Lake Superior have two different sewer systems. Sanitary sewers were designed to carry waste water (containing sewage) from homes and businesses directly to a treatment facility where it can be cleaned before being released back into natural bodies of water. Storm sewers were designed to handle rain and snow melt that runs off the land and roads. This sewer drains directly to area streams, rivers and Lake Superior and is not cleaned. During heavy rainstorms, I&I may cause the sanitary sewers to quickly fill with clear rain water that should have been directed to the storm sewer. When too much of this clear water mixes with untreated sewage, the volume flowing through the sewer pipes may exceed the capacity of the sanitary sewer system pipes.
The result is that water cannot reach the treatment plant to be cleaned because the system becomes pressurized and essentially “blows” – with diluted sewage backing up into basements or overflowing onto streets. This dirty water then flows into area streams, rivers and lakes. These overflows can lead to exposure to untreated waste water.
What causes I&I?
Old or cracked pipes may allow clear water to seep into the system through infiltration. Private service lines from homes and businesses may leak because of age, poor design or poor maintenance. Fifty five percent of Duluth’s sewer system is over 50 years old. Another large source of water is inflow from roofs, foundation drains and improperly drained sump pumps in area homes. Most homes built before 1970 were designed with roof drains or foundation footing drains that unfortunately direct rainwater into the sanitary sewer system.
What are the solutions to I&I?
The City of Duluth’s I&I program seeks to remove clear water through the installation of sump pumps and the disconnection of footing drains from the sanitary sewer system. The program
designates an area of the city each year for mandatory inspection and disconnection. In some areas, grant funding is available to help complete the necessary sump pump installations. Courtesy of lakesuperiorstreams.org
Get the Lead Out
When we discuss the age of our home’s plumbing we also need to consider if the water pipes still contain lead. Lead is a common metal found in many consumer products that if ingested can be harmful to your families health. Drinking water is not our only source of lead exposure. However, combined with other sources, lead in water can increase the build-up of lead in our bodies resulting in health related issues. Although lead pipes are no longer installed in household plumbing, some homes especially older home, may have significant amounts of lead in their plumbing. This is just one more reason to have your water lines inspected and replaced to ‘Get the Lead Out.