The Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) discussed a somewhat tricky situation between two homeowners at its meeting on October 2, 2013.
Two years ago, a water leak was detected between the street—which is the city’s responsibility—and the homeowner’s house. Any leaking between either the property line or the city’s shutoff valve—whichever is closer to the city’s water main— and a homeowner’s water meter is the homeowner’s responsibility. Complicating this situation, however, was the fact that this homeowner’s leak was underneath his neighbor’s property.
The PUC notified the homeowner of the problem two years ago and had talked to both the homeowner and the homeowner’s neighbor “off and on” since then, City Water/ Wastewater Superintendent Tom Nelson said. They wanted to give the homeowner plenty of time to work things out with his neighbor, he said, but if the leak was not repaired, the city had the right to shut the property owner’s water off.
In situations like this, Nelson said, they try to help the homeowner figure out how to get the problem fixed, even though it’s not the city’s responsibility. They have identified exactly where the leak is, and accessing and fixing it could be done in about four hours.
The homeowner has the right to fix the pipe underneath his neighbor’s property, Nelson said. This right would be guaranteed by easements that would have been required when both properties were purchased.
The board authorized Nelson to send a letter informing the homeowner that his water would be shut off if the leak was not fixed. It states, “The Grand Marais Public Utility Commission feels that there has been enough time granted for all issues to be worked out between yourself and the affected property owner. Therefore your water service will be turned off/disconnected on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.”
At press time, Nelson reported that a contractor had been scheduled to do the repairs.
Electric service
Electric Superintendent Mike Taylor reported that Lake States Construction would be doing three to four weeks of work in the Croftville area, changing out some poles and equipment and preparing lines for higher voltage.
The new emission reduction equipment installed this summer at the power station will result in cleaner diesel-powered electricity when the city needs to generate its own power. New reports to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will be required.
Damage from disposable wipes
Tom Nelson referred to a frontpage article in the Duluth News- Tribune about disposable wipes clogging up the city’s sewer system. Duluth’s motto is that only toilet paper should go down the toilet, he said.
Flushing disposable wipes will shorten the life of a city’s sewer system, Nelson said. It weakens the pumps and causes backups. He said, “It’s like going down the road pulling a boat with an anchor hanging out.”
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