Wastewater

Hello all!

We want to make sure that you all know about your STEP System!

The City of Coburg Public Works Department wants to let you know that they maintain your tank, pump, and pump control/alarm. This includes routine maintenance, pumping, and repairs. You no longer have that responsibility. A public easement on your property provides the City access for wastewater system maintenance. What this means is that there are only three items that the home/business owner is responsible for:

Providing power to the City owned pump control/alarm panel;
The sewer line coming from each building to the inlet of the tank;
Maintaining complete access to city owned controls, tanks, and pumps.

How Does My System Work?

The elements of the Coburg wastewater system on your property consist of a septic interceptor tank, a pump, a pump control/alarm panel, and the connection to the collection system (pipe) in the street. STEP stands for Septic Tank Effluent Pumping. This means a pump has been installed/replaced in your septic tank. It sends the liquid waste to the wastewater treatment plant. The grey pump control/alarm panel is located either on or near the structure. This panel contains the equipment to both operate and monitor the pumps and alarms. The alarm consists of two parts: a high pitch ringing tone and a red LED light on the front cover of the control/alarm panel. STEP systems do a terrific job of decomposing household waste and recycling precious water resources. They use little energy and frequently outperform standard municipal sewage treatment plants.

How to Care for Wastewater System (similar to a septic system)

Do Nots

DO NOT Flush or Drain:

Fats, grease
Toxic chemicals/paints/acid
Any caustic substances
Sanitary products, diapers/wipes
More than minimal garbage disposal use
Septic additives

DO NOT Drive Over Septic Tank unless you have an approved traffic rated top!

It is not built to withstand the weight and may collapse.

DO NOT Build Over or within Five Feet (5) of Tank

This includes structures (decks) and paving. Pavers, planters, and large rocks are strongly discouraged. The City needs to access the tank to inspect, pump, and repair. Inspections are scheduled every two years. Obstructions to access will be removed at your expense.

DO NOT Disconnect Electrical Connections

This will cause the pump/alarm to stop operating and the tank to back up.

DO NOT Open Tank

The gasses in a septic tank/oxygen depletion can be fatal.

DO NOT Make an Unpermitted Connection

For example, RV waste, hot-tub/pool drainage clogs equipment. Rain gutter or storm water connections are prohibited.

DO NOT Dig or excavate in your yard

If you are planning on digging in your yard for any reason (which includes driving steaks for a garden!) please call 811. This gives the Public Works Dept. and other Utilities a heads up that you need to know what is in the ground. And it’s free to you!

DO

DO Call Coburg Public Works at 541-683-0081 (24 hours/day)

If your pump alarm sounds;
If you notice the red light is on or flashing;
If you notice septic water/smell around tank.

DO Contact City Hall for a Comprehensive Homeowner’s Manual

This includes recommendations for non-chemical cleaning and water conservation.

Please ensure that every member of your household/business are familiar with these measures. Also if you have guests, be sure to tell them, too. Together with these preventive measures, along with the City’s routine maintenance, the wastewater system should continue to function for decades. The City of Coburg looks forward to many years of a partnership with you in operating our wastewater system.

The City of Coburg Ordinance A-224.11. provides rate reduction method to assist some limited income residential users for water and/or wastewater utility bills.