Apr/May - MOWA

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Page 2 Little Digger
Gov. Issues Emergency Order
Updated: 03/15/2013 11:54 PM KSTP.com By: Stephen TeNier
Septic systems have
executive order. He
up septic systems.
tO Prevent Septi
frozen solid across the state, forcing the governor to issue an
I I emergency
acted to prevent thousands of Minnesotans from having to deal with backed
Even with that order, septic services are
scrambling to keep up with the problem.
On the back of their trucks are the words, .You
think YOUR job sucks? Lately, Ende Septic
Service in Rogers has been doing a-
lot of...
sucking.
"It's been seven days a week, 14 to 16 hours a
day. We've just been running around everywhere
we can, said Tristan Ende, who works for Ende
Septic Service.
Ende's
issues
business is backed up trying tO prevent septic backups, during the worst winter for such
in six years.
Here's how it happened: During most winters, early snowfall insulates the ground, and the
pipes beneath it, from bitterly cold air. But this winter, frigid temperatures moved in before
significant snowfall, leaving the ground exposed. That allowed frost to hit earlier, and reach
deeper, 3 to 4 feet underground in some places -- right where many septic systems sit.
"And that just
And once that
septic tank.
IISO
And
you can
flushing
caused pipes sitting
happens,
keep taking
the toilet.
you
a
are in
full of water to freeze
some
shower and
deep
doing the
trouble.
laundry,
up solid,
Someone
Minnesota Onsite Wastewater Association
lofl 3/16/2013 8:39
Ende
said.
Ende said.
has to come
Every year, on March 15th, seasonal restrictions kick in, preventing heavy trucks from using
city and side streets, which are more susceptible to damage during the springtime thaw. The
restrictions would have sidelined septic trucks, slapping them with heavy fines, just for using
the roads to get to their customers.
So the governor stepped in to
Most frozen septic Systems are
north metro.
prevent that from
In
happening.
Backups
and empty your
areas that didn't get a lot of snow early in the season, like the
Once your septic system is frozen, there's not much you can do about it. In some cases, crews
can send hot water through your pipes to thaw them out. But it's much easier to prevent
freezing in the first place. Next fall, try to cover the ground above your system with leaves or
straw. And try not to walk or sled on the snow above your system early in the season.
C