JAMESTOWN, N.D.-- The sanitary sewer situation is improving in Jamestown, but residents are still being asked to cut down on the amount of water going into the system.
City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf says the system is still handling about 6 million gallons, when 1.5 million is normal for this time of year. Groundwater infiltrating the system is the cause of the problem.
The system hit about 7.5 million gallons this past week, and Jamestown officials obtained permission from the state Health Department to pump diluted sewage directly into the James River to prevent backups into basements.
Schwartzkopf says that's helping. The city also is working to eliminate spots where water is entering the sanitary sewer system in homes through floor drains or sump pumps.
The Jamestown Sun and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
