Understanding your STEP System
The City of Coburg Public Works Department maintains all septic tanks, pumps, and pump control/alarms within the city limits of Coburg. This includes routine maintenance, pumping, and repairs. 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 a home/business owner is responsible for:
- Providing power to the City-owned pump control/ alarm Panel.
- Sewer line maintenance from each building to the inlet of the tank
- Maintaining available 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 Not
Flush or Drain: fats, grease, toxic chemicals/ paints/acid, any caustic substances, sanitary products, diapers/wipes, more than minimal garbage disposal use or septic additives
Drive Over Septic Tank unless you have an approved traffic rated top! - It is not built to withstand the weight and may collapse.
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.
Disconnect Electrical Connections: This will cause the pump/alarm to stop operating and the tank to back up.
Open Tank: The gasses in a septic tank/oxygen depletion can be fatal.
Make an Unpermitted Connection: For example, RV waste, hot-tub/pool drainage clogs equipment. Rain gutter or storm water connections are prohibited.
Dig or excavate in your yard: If you are planning on digging in your yard for any reason, including driving stakes for a garden, please call 811. Coburg Public Works and other Utilities will mark the location of utilities before you dig. This is a free service.
DO
Call Coburg Public Works at 541-683-0081 (24 hours/day) IF:
- If your pump alarm sounds;
- If you notice the red light is on or flashing;
- If you notice septic water/smell around tank.
Below you will find a Comprehensive Homeowner’s Manual. This includes recommendations for non-chemical cleaning and water conservation.
Please educate every member of your household/business to be familiar with these measures. Together with these preventive measures, and 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 a Limited Income Assistance Program, a rate reduction method to assist some limited income residential users for water and/or wastewater utility bills.