City of Cedar Rapids

Sanitary Sewer Master Plan

The City's sanitary sewer collects and conveys residential, commercial and industrial flows from the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan area to the City's Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF).  The system serves the cities of Marion, Hiawatha, Robins and Palo, and a small part of Linn County, in addition to the City of Cedar Rapids.

On November 1, 2016, the City Council adopted an update to the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan. The previous Sanitary Sewer Master Plan was completed in 1998 and has become outdated in its ability to guide future decisions.  The City began development of the first round of the current document in June of 2016.  This initial revamp reflects the collaborative effort of the City and consultant staff to bring a fresh perspective and innovative thought to accomplish the following objectives:

1. Proceed with initial development of a living Sanitary Sewer Master Plan that will become more comprehensive and expansive with time
2. Understand and incorporate the City's vision as reflected in EnvisionCR
3. Develop a Capital Improvements Plan that clearly communicates the priorities, rationale, and timeline to address known sanitary sewer issues
4. Identify funding needs and develop a financial plan that closes the gap between current revenues and capital needs
5. Obtain available GIS and other available information to proceed with higher-level hydraulic modelling Citywide to begin to assess capacity needs
6. Engage and work collaboratively with Public Works staff to identify policy and other considerations relative to sanitary sewer master planning
7. Establish the framework for annual updates to expand and improve the initial plan

In recent years, the City's sanitary sewer system and Water Pollution Control Facility have been challenged by peak flows approaching and exceeding existing capacity during rain events.  The peaks are attributed to extraneous wet weather flows commonly referred to as infiltration and inflow (I & I) that are produced by local precipitation and/or high river levels.  Ideally, the sanitary sewer collection system would be completely sealed from its points of entry (toilets, sinks, showers, floor drains, etc.) all the way to the treatment plant.  However, evidence shows that there are many additional undesirable points of entry, which takes two forms:

1. Cross connections, where sump pumps, foundation drains, and roof drains are connected into the sanitary sewer system instead of the storm sewer system, known as "Inflow", or
2. Breaks, cracks, misaligned joints, tree root penetrations within private and public sewer lines, where groundwater flow can enter, known as "Infiltration"

A major theme of the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan is the City's intent to significantly reduce sources of I & I to reduce pumping and treatment costs at the treatment plant, benefiting all rate payers.

In concert with EnvisionCR, the City of Cedar Rapids comprehensive plan, the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan also considers the capital investment necessary to serve future growth areas in a strategic and deliberate manner.

Elements of the current adopted document are available for download below.  Updates will be posted here as they are developed and adopted in future years.

Existing Sanitary Sewer System

• Executive Summary
• TM 1.0 - Existing System

Historic and Planned Improvements

• TM 2.0 - Historic and Planned Improvements

• TM 3.0 - Hydraulic Modeling
• TM - Automated Flow and Rainfall Monitoring
• TM - Morgan Creek Study
• TM 3.1.1 - C Avenue NE Study
• TM 3.2 - Prairie Creek Study
• TM 3.2 - Prairie Creek Study Appendices
• TM 3.3 - C Street SW and 44th St SE Study
• TM 3.3 - C Street SW and 44th St SE Study Appendices

Capital Improvement Needs

• TM 4.0 - Capital Improvements Needs (2016)
• TM 4.0 - Capital Improvements Needs (FY18 Update)
• TM 4.1 - Capital Improvements Plan (FY20 Update)

• TM 5.0 - Policy and Other Considerations

• TM.6.0 - Financial Needs

Growth Area Service Plans

• TM 7.0 - Executive Summary
• TM 7.1 - North Growth Area
• TM 7.2 - West Growth Area
• TM 7.3 - Southwest Growth Area
• TM 7.4 - Northwest Growth Area
• TM 7.5 - South Growth Area 

Previous and future initiatives are outlined below by fiscal year.