Courtesy of Stutsman County Emergency Manager, Jerry Bergquist

The City of Jamestown has major concerns regarding its sanitary sewer system and its continued operation due to the extreme amount of water infiltration the system is experiencing from the current high water tables. The system has exceeded its ability to process the amount of sewage passing through it, and as a result, the City has had to pump diluted sewage directly to the river to keep the system operating. The amount of water infiltration cannot be controlled, so the City is reminding the public to abide by the ordinance that requires sump pumps and drain tile systems to be drained outdoors and not into the sanitary sewer (basement floor drains).

In addition, effective as of May 14, 2009, and until further notice, the City of Jamestown is establishing a voluntary sanitary sewer usage program to help reduce the peak usage periods of the sanitary sewer system and to spread its use out more efficiently. The program is as follows:

 CONTINUE limiting the amount of city water being drained into the sanitary sewer system. This refers to the amount of water individuals are disposing of from washing dishes, washing clothes, general sink usage, taking baths, taking showers and flushing toilets.
 NEW: Odd number houses and businesses on odd number calendar days are asked to perform the majority of their sanitary sewer system usage, as much as practical, while continuing to limit the water being drained into the sanitary sewer.
 NEW: Even number houses and businesses on even number calendar days are asked to perform the majority of their sanitary sewer system usage, as much as practical, while continuing to limit the water being drained into the sanitary sewer.
 NEW: Specific ways to limit city water being drained into the sanitary system include but are not limited to:
1. Run dishwashers with a full load instead of a partial load.
2. Hand wash dishes from more than one meal at the same time.
3. Place a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for drinking purposes instead of running water from the faucet until it gets cold.
4. Don’t let the water faucet run when brushing teeth.
5. Wash full loads of clothes instead of partial loads.
6. Reduce the amount of water used when taking a bath.
7. Cut down on the length of showers.
8. Flush toilets as little as practically possible.

In order for the City to continue providing sanitary sewer services, it has become necessary to voluntarily establish this program. Residents will be notified when conditions improve sufficiently to allow this program to expire.

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