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- 7 - The Minnesota High~ay Department has also reviewed Ramsey's plan (see attached comments). The Department is particularly concerned with the impact of the pro- posed shopping center on the capaoit~ of Minnesota TH 47 sOuth of CSAH 5. Wastewater Management (Sewers) The major inconsistency between the Ramsey plan and metropolitan plans for sewers is that ~_s~y..9~pe~t~_me~t~9~_$~n sew~r service in 1979 while ~he ~erY ~rliest possibl, e time_of~se~c__e ~.~il~l_aDi~1it~.ks_l~98~l. Ramsey expects to have some 8,375 ~ersons plus commercial and industrial development served by central sanitary sewers by 1990. Ramsey's preliminary System Statement identifies the expected sewered population to be 5,000 persons bY 1990. This difference will be resolved after the Council's population forecasts are re-evaluated. At this time, the Anoka segment of the CAB interceptor is planned'to provide one outlet to Ramsey near Highway 10 at the City's border. Ramsey has indicated in its plan amendment that the City will also need an outlet near CSAH 47. This outlet is a possibility .but will require amendment of the Waste Management Policy Plan and Development Program. As pre~i~usly noted, the City of Ramsey sh6uld not plan ~O begin using either the Highway !~ or Highway 4~ interceptgr outlets until the lower reach of the CAB is constructed, phasing out the Anoka Treatment Plant. There is also concern with several of the City'~ proposed local policies affecting the planning, management, and financing of its local sewer system. Concerns about the sewer availability area are covered under "Timing" of the Urban Service Area. Ramsey does not plan to extend sewers to existing large lot development within the Urban Service Area unless: (a) they are petitioned, (b) a public health problem exists, or (c) other public need is determined by the City Council. This policy is not completely consistent with Council policy. As stated in the Waste Manage- ment Policy Plan, local collection systems should be extended to existing urban density development as soon as practical, and connections should be made to the system as soon as it is available. One or 2% acre residential lot subdivisions within the City's Urban Service Area are clearly urban developments and should be connected to central sanitary sewer as soon as possible. Ramsey has stated in the plan that it will adopt standards for on-site septic systems and establish an inspection and enforcement program. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has developed a draft of new on-site system regulation. An important element of this regulation will be the relationship of on-site systems to soil conditions. When this regulation is promulgated, Ramsey should take the follewing steps: Waste Management Policy 6b: Ail municipalities and authorized counties should upon promulgation of septic ~ystem regulations do the following: 1) Reflect these regulations in their local comprehensive sewer plans indicating acceptable locations, ordinances, inspection plans, and any additional information called for in the "local comprehensive sewer plan guidelines" contained in the Waste Management Procedures. 2) Utilize the plan and regulations in the issuance of permits. 3) Establish and operate an ongoing inspection sys%em and provide for self financing of the monitoring, inspection and permit '. i issuance program. ~ 4) Carry out a continuing program of informimg septic tank system Use~-O~ how-5~ai~n-d~p~rate thi~ ki~d ~f ~wage ~ disposal system. In addition, Ramsey should develop a special approach to managing existing on-site septic tanks. In the CAB Study Co~nittee report, it was stated that "many of the on-site sewage disposal systems in Ramsey are approaching the age at which they can be expected to fail". Most of the septic tanks are located outside the pro- posed Urban Service Area where central sewers are planned by 1990. Therefore, if the City is to prevent early construction of very costal sanitary sewers, it will need to develop a special approach to managing these on-site systems. The Lower St. Croix communities are facing a similar problem to Ramsey. In addition to adopting a good septic tank ordinance, monitoring ground water and wells, and identifying soils where septic tanks simply cannot be installed, these communities are considering the following "contingency plan": 1. Current Uses Up-to-code septic installation on new buildings. In- spection and recording of all pre-existing systems and types for future replacement (or emergencies). 2. Isolated Septic ' Requires replacement of existing "failed system" with Failures new drainfield system or, if not possible, a holding tank and pumping. 3. "Pocket" Pollution Four to eight homes in one location with system failure Problem and contaminated water. Provide one good central drain- field system for all houses or, if severe problem, have holding tanks and pumping on a daily basis. 4. Scattered Pocket On site, packaged treatment facility on vacant land to Pollution alleviate the problem but not for new homes (in accordance with Sewer Board and FCA).