Minneapolis Sewer System Overview
Minneapolis Stormwater and Wastewater System
In 1870, the earliest known sewers in Minneapolis were constructed. Over 830 miles of sanitary sewers, 509 miles of storm drains, 12 miles of deep storm tunnels and 31 miles of sanitary main and interceptor tunnels are under Minneapolis streets.
Over 50,000 manholes (18,000 storm & 32,000 sanitary) allow access to the drainage systems for maintenance, and over 28,000 storm drain inlets receive stormwater in Minneapolis. For more information, see History of Stormwater and Wastewater Drainage Systems.
How much stormwater and wastewater is processed?
Nearly all of the storm drains in Minneapolis have been separated into storm and sewer pipes, respectively, handling over 50 square miles of surface runoff. This stormwater runoff flows through a series of pipes and swales to discharge into surface waters of Minneapolis, such as lakes, rivers and creeks.
Wastewater (sewage) from over 100,000 buildings in Minneapolis (an average of 60 million gallons of wastewater a day!) runs through the sanitary sewer system to the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant, which are operated and maintained by Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) in St. Paul. The City of Minneapolis pays fees to MCES, which go towards maintaining its regional collection system and the direct costs of wastewater treatment. Read more about How It Works.
How does the wastewater from my house get to the treatment plant?
You can read about how sewer and stormwater systems work both inside and outside your building at How It Works.
Where can I find phone numbers for reporting problems with stormwater or sewers?
For a list of contacts, available hours and phone numbers, see Contact Information - Minneapolis Sewer Operations.
Last updated Jan 25, 2017
