The Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen approved Ordinance 4412 on August 1, 2022. The Ordinance imposes new regulations on boring and excavation. Key components of the new regulations include:

-The number of simultaneous active drill rigs is limited to three.  The number of simultaneous active drill rigs can increase if an independent safety monitor is overseeing the boring activity.  One independent safety monitor is required for every four active drill rigs.   

-Boring is permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.  

-All boring equipment is required to be calibrated daily in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.  A log of calibrations is required and must be made available to the City when requested.  

-All utility crossings must occur at a pothole.   A pothole is a hole dug with a shovel that exposes the utility line/main.  

-All crews must clearly post at every job site the name and contact information for the contractor performing the work and service provider.  

-The City Engineer has the authority issue a stop work order and corrective action to prevent unauthorized or substandard work.  

 A tiered violation protocol has been established.

-Tier 1 violations include striking a utility, other than a gas line, and shovel strikes to a gas line.  A report of the incident including information on the cause and party responsible will be submitted to the City, who will review the report and make suggestions regarding further conditions or requirements for any work moving forward.  

-Tier 2 violations include striking or damaging a gas utility (excluding shovel strikes).  The contractor responsible shall stop work until a report detailing the circumstances of the strike has been completed and representatives of the service provider/contractor has met with the City to discuss and review the report and developed an operational change to prevent the same violation from reoccurring.  A fee of $1,000 may be assessed to recoup city expenses due to staff investigation and inspections.  If the contractor presents evidence that the strike was a no fault event the fee may be reduced to $100.  

Multiple at-fault violations may result in be revoking any existing excavation permits issued in addition to a monetary fee.