Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will our sewage be treated?
A: The effluent flow will be pumped via a forcemain to stabilization/holding ponds where UV light and microorganisms will naturally treat the water till ultimately it is as clean as storm (rain) water. The water will then be used to irrigate surrounding fields.
Q: Where will the stabilization ponds be located?
A: The City is currently in negotiations with land owners on potential land acquisition for the ponds to be located. The location of the ponds has not been finalized yet. This website will be updated once a site has been confirmed.
Q: Will the stabilizing ponds have an odor?
A: In general, the ponds will not have a noticeable odor. The ponds can sometimes have a slight odor during a very short window of time in the Fall or Spring when temperature changes cause the water in the ponds to ‘turnover’. This odor typically will only last a couple of days and is relatively faint.
Q: How wide will the roads be?
A: The roads will be put back to a similar width that they are today. The minimum width the roads can be is 20’ due to fire code.
Q: Do I have to connect to the system?
A: Only homes with failing septic systems will need to connect to the system immediately. Residents with functioning systems can elect to either connect right away or wait until their existing system fails.
Q: How much will it cost for me to connect to the system?
A: The City is not going to charge a connection fee for residents to the connect to the system. As part of the project, a sewer service will be stubbed from the mainline sewer to the City’s right of way that is located ~10’-15’ beyond the edge of the pavement. The costs for connecting a service from their home to this stub will be the responsibility of the property owner. This cost is variable based on the length of service, selected contractor, etc. We encourage residents to reach out for quotes from excavating contractors in order to determine the costs to install their private service. Dakota County has a grant program to help finance these costs. For more details on this grant program please visit Dakota County’s website: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/SepticSystem/Pages/low-income-grant.aspx or contact Emily Gable with Dakota County at 952-891-7008 or emily.gable@co.dakota.mn.us
Q: What happens to my old septic system?
A: Your old septic system will need to be crushed/abandoned or removed in accordance with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) rules.
Q: Can I share a service with my neighbor?
A: No. Each home must have their own sewer service installed on their own property. However, electing to install your private service at the same time as surrounding homes can typically result in a lower cost due to the economies of scale and efficiencies for an excavating contractor to do installs at once.
Q: Will there be curb and gutter or storm sewer installed on city streets with the project?
A: No. The addition of curb and gutter or storm sewer would not be covered by the funds received for the project. Addition of these improvements would need to be funded directly by the City. These funds would be generated by an increase in taxes or levying special assessments on property owners. The Council has elected to not do this at this time.
Q: Will County Road 88 be reconstructed in conjunction with this project?
A: Yes! The county has elected reconstruct County Road 88 in conjunction with the project. A general list of proposed improvements are summarized below. These street improvements are at no cost to Randolph residents.
- Reconfigure the corridor from a 2-lane to a 3-lane roadway with a center left turn lane
- Addition of sidewalk/trails on both sides of CSAH 88
- Pedestrian safety/crossing improvements including center median refuges at Davison Avenue and Duncan Avenue
- Drainage Improvements including the addition of concrete curb and gutter and storm sewer
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Q: When will this project be constructed?
A: Construction is expected to occur during the 2023 and 2024 construction seasons (~April-November). Phasing of the project is not know at this time. Additional details on phasing will be available closer to the start of construction.