Case Study: Coon Rapids, MN achieves major reductions in inflow and infiltration and fewer sewer backups with Cityworks

Coon Rapids, MN - Customer Case Study

Coon Rapids, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis with about 60,000 residents, faced chronic inflow and infiltration (I&I), heavy root intrusion in aging clay tile sewers and frequent sewer backups that threatened service and insurance. To better manage assets and target rehabilitation, the city used Cityworks (GIS-based asset management) to inventory, prioritize and coordinate sewer repairs and maintenance.

Using Cityworks to drive a data-informed rehab plan, Coon Rapids prioritized problem areas, lined roughly 240,000 feet of sewer from 2008–2013, and invested about $1M per year in lining plus pipe bursting and comprehensive lift station rebuilds; routine cleaning, monthly spot-checks of ~200 manholes, and proactive FOG outreach rounded out the program. Cityworks-supported prioritization and tracking helped cut backups from multiple times per week to just six incidents in one year, restored the utility’s insurance standing, and substantially reduced I&I across the system.

Coon Rapids, MN

Rick Bednar

Operations Supervisor