By Raychael Moseley / Managing Editor

The Marshall Municipal Utilities Board of Public Works is looking at ways to keep rain and groundwater from entering the city’s sewer system, a problem that could put added pressure on the wastewater treatment plant during heavy rain. 

The issue, known as inflow and infiltration, or I&I, was discussed at the bimonthly Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. 

Board President Ken Bryant questioned whether MMU has a strong enough long-term plan to address the issue. A 2022 study identified some sources of unwanted water entering the sewer system, but Bryant said the problem has been around much longer.

“I’ve been on this board 16 years and, you know, I&I has been kind of a thorn all that time,” Bryant said. “It concerns me that we don’t have a good long-term plan … It’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of when.” 

The concern is what could happen to the wastewater system during another major rainfall. During the discussion,  People, Risk & Outreach director Megan Baldridge recalled a previous heavy rain when Salt Fork Creek rose over a berm near the wastewater treatment plant. 

General Manager Jeff Bergstrom said he and Underground Facilities Director Grant Piper have discussed creating a regular plan to find and fix problem areas. 

“Grant and I have been talking about we need to get a plan that kind of details, OK, we’re going to smoke test, and we’re going to do this… on an annual recurring basis,” Bergstrom said. 

Smoke testing is one method MMU uses to find places where unwanted water is getting into sewer lines. Officials also discussed repairing manholes and addressing sump pumps, footing drains, and roof drains that may be connected to the sanitary sewer system. 

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Eric Perkins estimated that about 80% of the I&I problem comes from private property, making it more difficult for MMU to address on its own. 

Bergstrom said MMU has discussed possibly helping customers pay for some of the work needed to correct those problems. 

“Maybe one of the plans is some assistance with unhooking sump pumps from sanitary,” Bergstrom said. “Maybe some assistance to get the customer on board with fixing their problems on their side.” 

MMU currently has about $2 million in its I&I fund. Bergstrom said MMU could eventually create a five-year plan to determine how much money should be allocated each year to address I&I.

Emphasizing that fixing the problem will require cooperation between MMU and the community. 

“This isn’t an MMU problem. It’s not a customer problem. It’s a community problem,” Bergstrom said. “You’re going to either pay to pump the water or you can take that money to pay and fix the problem.” 

Ideas are still being developed, including the possibility of holding a public meeting to explain the issue and ways customers could help reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system.