The city has developed several plans and programs to address the sanitary sewer infrastructure needs. These include:
- A plan to eliminate the three remaining "constructed" overflow points in our sanitary sewer system by 2007
- A Sanitary Sewer Master Plan to relieve the main sewer arteries, lift stations and force mains that need additional capacity
- A Basin Master Plan and Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Studies to rehabilitate small diameter sewers in many neighborhoods and reduce clean water that leaks into crumbling sewers and manholes
- Sewer cleaning and public education programs to prevent and reduce overflows caused by grease blockages, sludge, debris and illegally connected downspouts and sump pumps
Since the 1990s, the Department of Public Works (DPW) has completed more than 90 sewer evaluation and rehabilitation projects to sanitary sewers worth more than $71 million. In 2003 alone, DPW oversaw the inspection and cleaning of 12,000 additional feet of large diameter sewer, removal of 2,500 tons of sludge and debris and the doubling of manhole and structural repairs. This work must continue.