Sewer
The Village’s Sewer Division is responsible for maintaining the Village’s wastewater collection system and treatment plant. As much as 750,000 gallons of wastewater are treated daily at a recently expanded treatment plant, which allows the Village to meet or exceed requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for discharge of water.
L-R: Sewer Operator Brett Ladd, Deputy Head Operator Wes Lemons, Head Operator Greg Richter
Sewer Division – Greg Richter, Head Operator
Sewer Division is located at 901 Gatewood Drive in Twin Lakes. The Sewer Department can be contacted by calling 262-877-3404 (During weekday hours of 6a.m. to 2:00p.m. or in non-emergency.)
Email: sewer@twinlakeswi.gov
* In the event of a sewer back up, contact Sewer Division staff via the Police Department at 262-877-9056!*
Facility Plan Update
The Village’s wastewater treatment plant last received major upgrades in 2000 and was due for mechanical upgrades. The plant has had limited sludge storage capacity (less than 6 weeks of storage) and was facing rising operational costs due to this limitation. The facility also faces new phosphorus limits and other permit changes that required upgrades to the facility. The Village started planning efforts in 2019, and contracted for the design of these upgrades in 2020.
In early 2021, the Village contracted with Joseph J. Henderson and Son, Inc. for $11,828,000 for upgrades to the Village’s wastewater treatment plant and 12 lift stations. Work started in June 2021 and is scheduled to be complete by December 2022. The project addresses the replacement of outdated equipment throughout the facilities, as well as the addition of sludge storage and sludge handling facilities. The new sludge facilities will allow the Village to store sludge up to almost a year before needing to haul by thickening the sludge and storing it onsite rather than paying to haul it to private offsite storage facilities. The project includes:
- Addition of a new 1-million-gallon sludge storage tank
- Addition of a new sludge processing building
- Addition of a new maintenance and storage garage
- Pumping upgrades throughout the facility
- Aeration upgrades that will save energy and allow the Village to biologically treat phosphorus to lower DNR standards
- Replacement or renovation of outdated screening, disinfection, and other equipment that is over 20-years old
- Electrical and SCADA (automated controls) upgrades that will allow for improved remote monitoring of facilities
- Misc. architectural, structural, HVAC, and plumbing upgrades to the existing buildings
- Various upgrades to the 12 existing lift stations
The project will be funded in part by connection fees paid to the Village for new homes and businesses that have been built over the past 20 years, and by a 5.5% rate increase to all users. The Village has borrowed less than $11 million for the entire project from the Wisconsin DNR’s Clean Water Fund Loan Program at a rate of 1.485% for a 20-year term.
1.1 M Gal Sludge Storage Tank Floor
Sewer Back Up
In the event of a sewer back up into a home or business, customers are encouraged to contact the Village immediately so that Village staff can determine whether or not the main sewer line is clear before the resident incurs professional charges from a plumber. Contact Village staff via the Police Department at 262-877-9056 in the event of a sewer back up. Please note that the Village is not responsible for damages related to sewer backups.
Grease
Think pouring grease down your drain is ok as long as you run hot water? Think again. Grease should NEVER be poured down the kitchen sink. Once it hits our sewer lines it immediately cools and hardens. This is just one of several chunks of grease we removed from Lift Station 3 by Twin Lakes Park. PLEASE pour your grease into a glass jar or other receptacle to throw out with the trash. DON’T pour it down the drain!
Softeners
Customers who use water softeners are encouraged to be sure the softener is running efficiently and is using as little salt as possible. The Village, in response to DNR requirements, is undertaking a public education effort to get customers to focus on their water softeners and softeners functions. Making minor adjustments to how frequently a softener regenerates and how much salt it uses each time can significantly reduces salt consumption throughout the year. Contact your softener service company for assistance.
Sump Pump Discharge
Sump Pump Discharge must NOT be directed to your house sanitary sewer system.
Click here for the Village brochure on Sump Pump Discharge
Swimming Pool Drainage
Residents with swimming pools MUST contact the Sewer Department before draining the pool into the sanitary sewer system.
Water Softeners and Salt
Most of us soften the water we use in our houses and businesses. Unfortunately, the salt, or Chloride, we used ends up in our wastewater and ultimately in Bassett Creek and the Fox River. Please adjust your water softener to reduce the amount of chloride in our wastewater. Simple actions by property owners can help save the Village from costly systems to further treat the water leaving our sewer plant by removing chlorides. The Village encourages all residents to reduce the amount of salt flushed down the drain each time a softener regenerates and to minimize regenerations by ensuring your softener is working properly and is regenerating based on the amount of water used in your household or business.