Wastewater collection and transport systems are critical components of a community’s infrastructure. Effective management of these systems minimizes costs and optimizes treatment efficiency by reducing infiltration and inflow (I/I), controlling pump station operations, eliminating overflows, and replacing aging or undersized pipes before they become problematic.
Typical challenges that keep collection system operators and managers awake at night may include:
- Structural, operational, and maintenance issues that can increase sewer deterioration rates
- Depleted pipe capacity caused by blockages or extraneous flows
- Having the right amount of funding in-place and on-time for needed rehabilitation
- Routine sewer maintenance needs for silt, debris, and grease buildup throughout the system
- Force main failures
- Existing, new, and hard to identify or correct I/I sources
- Ragging or failure of pumps and appropriate backup pumping operations
There are several means and methods you can implement to help control the health of your collection system. These include:
- Developing or updating CMOM or O&M plans to document resource needs and standard operating procedures
- Maintaining or beginning a fats, oils, and grease (FOG) management and grease trap inspection program
- Pipeline cleaning and inspection on a prioritized and routine basis
- Performing a system criticality ranking by general location, basin, and asset to aid in prioritizing work assignments and projects
- Tracking of high complaint areas to understand where problem areas are
- Implementing an asset management program
- Tracking local and federal funding opportunities and application schedules
- Developing a routine I/I assessment and implementation schedule
- Utilizing new scanning or scouting tools for blockages and sewer leaks
- Routine and prioritized cleaning of catch basins, grease trap interceptors, or other treatment systems especially in combined systems
- Addressing private I/I sources through public education and understanding of available solutions
At Wright-Pierce, we routinely provide collection system support for our clients through our dedicated, in-house horizontal infrastructure assessment group. This group has been providing collection system services ranging from CSO abatement and grease trap inspections in Haverhill, MA to manhole inspections, leak testing, and I/I source identification in Hillsborough County, FL resulting in detailed, digital (GIS) reporting for system management and maintenance.
Wright-Pierce can help you with best practices to support the wellness of your collection system. Contact us today to learn more.