Excelsior Inflow & Infiltration

Excelsior’s grant money is limited, and the eligible spending window closes at the end of 2026. If you’ve been putting off a sewer repair, this is the year to move on it. Call 763-314-3148 to schedule an inspection while funds are still available.

Excelsior I&I Program

Excelsior’s approach centers on helping property owners pay for repairs. The Metropolitan Council has designated the city an excessive I&I contributor, which makes it eligible for the regional Private Property Inflow and Infiltration Grant Program. According to the city’s Private Property I&I Grant Program page, Excelsior received $33,000 to distribute to property owners or contractors under the program guidelines.

The regional program provides $1.5 million in wastewater revenue across the metro. The Minnesota Legislature authorized the Met Council to pass these funds through local cities, and Minnesota Statutes section 471.342 allows cities to run I&I programs with loans and grants for property owners.

Here’s what Excelsior’s grant covers:

• Repair or replacement of the private sewer lateral
• Foundation drain and surface drain disconnections
• New sump pumps, when they’re part of a foundation or surface drain disconnection
• Sewer inspection and cleaning costs, if the applicant meets the equity criteria or the televising leads to a lateral repair or replacement

Awards can reach 50% of eligible costs, capped at $5,000. Qualifying spending has to happen between January 1 and December 31, 2026. The Met Council’s 2026 program guidelines also limit each property to one grant, so it pays to get the full scope of work right the first time.

Applying follows a straightforward path:

1. Get the line televised to find out what’s wrong and where.
2. Collect your inspection receipt and a description of the proposed work.
3. Note whether the job involves lining, replacement, or drain disconnection.
4. Complete the city’s grant application.
5. Email the inspection video to the Public Works Director, as the application instructs.

The city’s I&I page focuses on funding rather than a mandatory inspection schedule. Before you list a property or start a repair, it’s worth calling city hall to confirm any current permit or inspection requirements.

Basement Sewer Backup Excelsior MN

Excelsior is one of the oldest communities on Lake Minnetonka, and many homes near Water Street, Excelsior Bay, and the blocks around Excelsior Commons have been standing for generations. Sewer laterals that old have lived through a lot of freeze-thaw cycles and root growth. When those pipes crack, groundwater slips in. When heavy rain hits, that extra water competes with wastewater for space, and the overflow often shows up in a basement.

The Met Council notes that more than half of the clear water in the regional sewer system comes from private homes and businesses. In a small, older city like Excelsior, individual laterals make a noticeable difference.

Common problems in Excelsior sewer lines include:

• Tree roots from large shade trees forcing their way into pipe joints
• Aging clay pipe that has cracked or separated
• Low spots where the line has settled and holds water
• Groundwater seeping in near the lake during wet springs
• Backups after storms that clear up, then return

Downspout Disconnection Excelsior

Inflow is the fast-moving half of the problem. A single connected downspout or drain can dump a surprising amount of rain into the sanitary sewer in minutes. Older homes sometimes have downspouts piped underground to the house’s drain system, a setup that made sense to builders long ago but now sends roof water straight to the treatment plant.

We check for clear water connections like these:

• Downspouts that disappear into the ground near the foundation
• Area drains in window wells or stairwells tied to the sanitary line
• Foundation drain tile connected directly to the sewer
• Sump pumps that empty into a floor drain or utility sink

Disconnecting a downspout usually means capping the underground connection and redirecting the water across the yard, away from the house and neighboring properties.

Sump Pump Disconnection Excelsior

Homes close to the lake often run their sump pumps hard through spring and after big storms. If yours drains into the sanitary system, we’ll reroute it to a permanent outdoor discharge. When the disconnection is part of a foundation drain fix, a new sump pump may even qualify for Excelsior’s grant.

Sewer Line Inspection Excelsior

Every good repair starts with knowing exactly what’s happening underground. Under our Empowerment Guarantee, you’ll see the same footage we do and get a clear explanation before making any decisions. That matters even more when grant money is on the table, since the inspection video is part of the application.

Sewer Camera Inspection Excelsior MN

Our camera inspection follows a simple sequence:

1. We access the line through your main cleanout.
2. If roots or debris block the pipe, we clean it so the camera can pass.
3. The camera records the entire lateral, from the house to the city connection.
4. We mark the location and depth of each defect we find.
5. You review the footage with our technician and receive upfront pricing.
6. We provide the video file so you can submit it with your grant application.

Cleaning and televising costs can count toward the grant when they lead to a lateral repair, so a thorough inspection can pay for part of itself. Call 763-314-3148 to book yours.

Sewer Lateral Repair Excelsior MN

The right repair depends on what the camera shows. Some lines need a fix at one failure point. Others have problems from end to end. We’ll walk you through the options and explain how each one fits the grant guidelines:

• Spot repair: A targeted fix for a single crack, root entry point, or broken joint
• Full lining: A new pipe wall installed inside the entire lateral
• Replacement: Reserved for collapsed lines or pipes that can’t be lined
• Drain disconnection: Removing foundation, surface, or roof drain connections

Sewer Pipe Lining Excelsior

Founder Ben Smith built Marvel Sewer & Drain around no-dig repair starting in 2010, and lining is a natural fit for Excelsior’s mature lots. A resin-saturated liner is fed into the existing lateral and cured in place, creating a smooth, sealed pipe that keeps groundwater and roots out. Historic front yards, stone walkways, and old trees stay put. Lining also counts as lateral rehabilitation on the city’s grant application.

Inflow And Infiltration Excelsior MN

Choosing a contractor for grant-funded work means picking someone who explains the process as clearly as the repair. Our team is local and family-owned, and we treat customers the way we’d want to be treated. Homeowners in Excelsior choose us for several reasons:

• The Empowerment Guarantee puts the inspection video and every decision in your hands.
• Upfront pricing gives you the numbers you need for your application.
• More than a decade of trenchless experience helps protect your property.
• We also serve Shorewood, Greenwood, Tonka Bay, Deephaven, and the rest of the Lake Minnetonka area.

Sewer lines aren’t the only thing we work on. Our Minneapolis plumbing crew handles water heaters, repiping, fixtures, and sump pumps across the west metro.

Curious what other homeowners have to say? View our Google Business Profile to read reviews from customers around the Twin Cities.

The 2026 grant window won’t stay open forever. Call 763-314-3148 or request service through our contact page to get started.

Does Excelsior Offer Grants For Sewer Line Repair?

Yes. Excelsior’s Private Property I&I Grant Program covers 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000, for qualifying work completed between January 1 and December 31, 2026.

What Work Qualifies For The Excelsior I&I Grant?

Eligible work includes sewer lateral repair or replacement, foundation and surface drain disconnections, and new sump pumps tied to a drain disconnection. Inspection and cleaning costs can qualify if they lead to a lateral repair or the applicant meets the equity criteria.

How Much Grant Money Does Excelsior Have?

The city received $33,000 to distribute to property owners or contractors. Because funding is limited, applying early improves your chances.

Can I Receive More Than One Grant For My Property?

No. The Met Council’s guidelines allow only one grant per property, so plan the full repair before you apply.

Do I Need To Submit My Sewer Inspection Video?

Yes, if your line was televised. The city’s application asks applicants to email the video to the Public Works Director along with the rest of the paperwork.

Why Is My Basement Drain Backing Up After Rain In Excelsior?

Storm-related backups often point to clear water entering the sewer through cracked pipes or improper connections. A camera inspection can show whether your lateral is part of the problem.

Is Sewer Pipe Lining A Good Option For Older Excelsior Homes?

Often, yes. Lining seals cracks and joints from the inside without digging up the yard, which helps protect landscaping and mature trees on older lots.