Sewers & Sewer Line Maintenance Resources

81. Drones Flying Below Your Feet 1/10/2019

    These robots aren’t taking jobs — they’re simply making the job of utility workers safer and easier.

82. Understanding And Coping With Struvite/Vivianite Formation In WWTPs 12/21/2018

    Based on wastewater properties, various types of mineral buildup can affect wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) piping. With their impacts on plant energy efficiency and potential restriction of throughput capacity, keeping pipes free-flowing is an important aspect of WWTP operations. Here’s guidance for coping with two common problems associated with phosphorus concentrations in wastewater — struvite and vivianite.

83. Repair Of Major Damage To High Density Polyethylene Wastewater Pipeline 8/13/2018

    Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer, operates two plants that share one wastewater pipeline – a 16” SDR11 High Density Polyethylene Pipeline (operating at approximately 160 PSI). During dirt work an “auger” hit the wastewater pipeline and drilled an 8” diameter hole in the line. Leprino needed immediate access to a repair fitting for this line.

84. Last-Minute Design Change Benefits Akron Project 8/7/2018

    The Great Lakes region was blessed with abundant freshwater for its rivers and lakes. Water as a resource and method of transportation were an important factor in Akron, OH, blossoming as one of America’s early manufacturing hubs during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

85. Water And Wastewater Pipeline Infrastructure Opportunities 3/2/2018

    There is little doubt that America’s infrastructure is aging, and in some cases, operating well beyond its originally intended lifespan. With labor costs representing up to half of the cost of pipe replacement, the key to cost-effective water and wastewater utility strategies revolves as much around labor-saving installation efficiency as it does around the physical performance of a particular material. Here is a look at historic failure rates, causes, and factors to consider when replacing existing water distribution and sewer networks.

86. Leveraging Federal Funds To Aid Local Sewer Improvements 2/27/2018

    Inflow and infiltration (I&I) are ongoing concerns for many wastewater utilities. Even with diligent maintenance of infrastructure, there are limits to what can be controlled. One example of that is leakage in the lateral service lines connecting the sewer utility’s main to sewer customer buildings. Here is how one municipality took advantage of federal and local funding to encourage nearly 2,500 customers to upgrade deficient connections in their lateral service lines — to the tune of more than $4 million.

87. Historic Town Remedies FOG Problem 2/21/2018

    Among the pump stations managed by Branford, CT, is a long-term problematic station located at Burban Street. There were two primary problems at this station: 1) clogging from modern day trash and raggy, stringy materials, and 2) fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from a nearby nursing home and restaurants, which accumulate and float on the water surface, resulting in a horrendous mess.

88. Real-Time Collection System Monitoring Is Saving Ratepayers Millions 12/11/2017

    A successful pilot program for the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is expanding to encompass the nation’s widest deployment of smart infrastructure in sewer collection systems. Such technology is lowering operating costs by millions of dollars, reducing pressure on rates, and dramatically decreasing the risk of sewer overflows. The decision reflects a growing trend of using collection system technologies to reduce maintenance and help limit rate increases.

89. Sewer Sense: Smart Decisions About Sanitary Sewer System Is Paying Off For Utility And Customers 12/5/2017

    Using a technology called SmartCover Systems, the Prince William County Service Authority is able to remotely monitor wastewater flows in strategic areas across Prince William County. A SmartCover is comprised of a small device that electronically monitors the level of flow in sewer mains from the underside of a manhole cover.

90. Preserving The Bay Area 11/7/2017

    With any aging system, inspection, cleaning, rehabilitation, and repair is essential to maintaining the systems integrity.  The City of Oakland, CA, the largest city in the East Bay region, certainly has its share of utilities to maintain.  The City of Oakland’s sanitary sewer system encompasses over 930 miles of sanitary sewer pipes and includes 31,000 structures and seven pump/lift stations.