Eagan Inflow & Infiltration

Got a Corrective Work Order from the city, or just noticed water creeping toward the floor drain after a storm? Either way, the clock matters. Call 763-314-3148 and our team will walk you through what Eagan requires and how quickly we can get started.

Eagan I&I Program

Eagan has one of the most established clear water programs in the metro. On September 1, 2009, the City Council added Subdivision 10, “Clear Water Discharge Prevention and Prohibition,” to City Code Section 3.40. According to the city’s Inflow & Infiltration Program page, the code bans clear water connections and faulty services that let groundwater into the system, and it requires notified owners to schedule an inspection.

The program grew out of a costly lesson. A 5-inch rainfall on October 5, 2005, pushed Eagan’s flow to the Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant past its peak allocation. The Metropolitan Council then required the city to spend $1,718,500 over five years on I&I mitigation or pay that amount as a surcharge. From 2010 to 2014, the Utility Division completed more than 19,000 home inspections, and those visits led to over 850 repairs.

That effort paid off. An engineering case study by SEH reports that about 5% of inspected properties had at least one I&I source, and that Eagan has since seen nearly a 10% drop in wastewater sent for treatment. The work isn’t finished, though. City staff now check homes and businesses for sump pump connections and other visible clear water sources whenever a water meter is replaced.

Here’s how the process works once the city reaches out:

1. You receive a letter asking you to schedule an inspection on a weekday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
2. An adult from the household must be present for the visit, which the city says can take up to an hour.
3. If the inspector finds a problem, the city mails a Corrective Work Order listing the required repairs.
4. All corrective work must be completed within 60 days of the date on that order.
5. A city permit and final inspection follow the repair, and a Certificate of Compliance is issued once everything passes.

Skipping any step gets expensive. Eagan adds a monthly surcharge to the utility bill until compliance is certified: $150 for single-family homes and $500 for other properties.

Sewer Backup After Heavy Rain Eagan

The 2005 storm showed what happens when clear water floods the system all at once. Sewer pipes are sized for wastewater, not rainfall. When sump pumps and drain tile pour stormwater into the sanitary line, the excess has to go somewhere, and a basement floor drain is often the lowest exit point.

Warning signs worth taking seriously:

• Water or sewage rising through a lower-level floor drain during storms
• Toilets that gurgle or drain slowly after rain or snowmelt
• A sewer smell in the basement that comes and goes with the weather
• Your sump pump running constantly while drains back up

Groundwater In Sewer Line Eagan MN

Infiltration works quietly. Groundwater finds its way into the lateral through cracked pipe, separated joints, and openings that tree roots have widened over the years. Neighborhoods near Blackhawk Lake, Thomas Lake, and the wetlands around Lebanon Hills Regional Park can see higher groundwater in wet seasons, which gives that water more pressure to push into a damaged line.

The city notes that privately owned pipes make up about 60% of Eagan’s sanitary sewer system. That means the condition of individual laterals has a big effect on how much clear water reaches the treatment plant. Typical sources we find include:

• Root intrusion at joints from mature boulevard and yard trees
• Older pipe sections that have cracked or shifted in clay soil
• Sagging spots where water and debris collect
• Foundation drain tile tied directly into the sanitary sewer

Sump Pump Disconnect Eagan

According to the city, most corrective work comes down to a simple sump pump disconnection and reroute. If your discharge line runs into a floor drain, laundry sink, or sanitary standpipe, we’ll redirect it outside so stormwater stays out of the sewer. It’s often the fastest way to clear a Corrective Work Order.

Sewer Camera Inspection Eagan MN

The city’s inspection focuses on visible connections. A camera inspection goes further by showing what’s happening inside the lateral itself. We recommend it whenever infiltration is suspected, a backup has already happened, or you’re buying an older home in Cedar Grove, along Diffley Road, or anywhere else in town.

What our visit covers:

• Recording the full length of the lateral, from your cleanout to the city main
• Pinpointing cracks, roots, sags, and separated joints by location and depth
• Checking sump pump and drain tile connections inside the home
• Reviewing the footage with you in plain language under our Empowerment Guarantee
• Providing upfront pricing on any recommended repair

Not sure whether your issue is a simple clog or something deeper? Call 763-314-3148 and we’ll help you figure out the right next step.

I&I Repair Eagan

Eagan offers some of the strongest financial help in the area. For low and medium density residential properties (R-1 and R-2), the city pays 50% of eligible corrective work costs. A few details affect how much you get back:

• You need two quotes from competing Minnesota-licensed contractors to receive the full 50%.
• With only one quote, reimbursement drops to the lesser of 50% or $200.
• Permit fees and the cost of a new sump pump aren’t covered.
• Reimbursements over $600 require a W-9.
• Owners can also spread their share as a special assessment over 2 or 5 years at 4% simple interest.

We’re happy to provide a detailed written quote for your file, which makes the two-quote requirement easier to meet.

Sewer Lateral Repair Eagan MN

Once the camera shows where the trouble is, the repair can match the damage. A single cracked section may need only a spot repair. Widespread joint failure or heavy root intrusion usually calls for a bigger fix. In rare cases, a collapsed pipe needs excavation, and we’ll tell you plainly when that’s the situation.

Trenchless Sewer Lining Eagan

Founder Ben Smith started Marvel Sewer & Drain in 2010 to specialize in no-dig repair. With trenchless lining, a resin-saturated liner is installed inside your existing lateral and cured into a sealed new pipe wall. Groundwater can’t seep through joints that no longer exist. Your driveway, lawn, and landscaping stay intact, which matters to a lot of Eagan homeowners who’ve spent years on their yards.

Inflow And Infiltration Eagan MN

Eagan residents have plenty of contractors to choose from. Here’s what sets our team apart:

1. You see everything we see. Our Empowerment Guarantee means you review the video and decide with full information.
2. Pricing comes first. You’ll know the cost before any work begins.
3. No-dig is our specialty. Trenchless repair has been the heart of our business for more than a decade.
4. We’re local and family-owned. We treat every customer the way we’d want to be treated.
5. We know the south metro. Our crews also serve nearby Burnsville, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, and Mendota Heights.

Need help with something besides the sewer line? Our Minneapolis plumbing team also handles water heaters, sump pumps, and fixture repairs throughout the Twin Cities.

Want to hear from homeowners who’ve worked with us? View our Google Business Profile for local reviews and directions.

Your 60-day window starts the day the Corrective Work Order is dated. Call 763-314-3148 or reach us through our contact page to get your repair scheduled.

Is The Eagan I&I Inspection Mandatory?

Yes. City Code Section 3.40, Subdivision 10, requires notified property owners to schedule an inspection and complete any required corrective work.

Does The City Of Eagan Charge For The I&I Inspection?

No. The city performs the inspection at no cost to the property owner, typically at the time of a water meter replacement.

How Long Do I Have To Make Repairs After A Corrective Work Order?

All corrective work must be finished within 60 days of the date on the order. A final inspection follows before the city issues a Certificate of Compliance.

Will Eagan Help Pay For I&I Repairs?

For R-1 and R-2 residential properties, the city covers 50% of eligible corrective work costs when the owner submits two quotes from licensed contractors. Permit fees and new sump pumps are not included.

What Happens If I Don’t Complete The Required Work?

Eagan adds a monthly utility bill surcharge until compliance is certified. The charge is $150 per month for single-family homes and $500 per month for other properties.

Can I Fix An I&I Problem Myself In Eagan?

Yes, homeowners can do the work. A $60 city permit is still required so the city can complete a final inspection and issue the certificate.

Does Trenchless Lining Stop Groundwater From Entering My Sewer Line?

In most cases, yes. A cured-in-place liner seals cracks and joints from the inside, removing the gaps groundwater uses to get in.