“why hasn’t your sses testing worked?” · dye testing was used as a verification method...
TRANSCRIPT
“Why hasn’t your SSES testing worked?”
Important components for conducting SSES
programs on Public and Private property”
OWEA Collection Systems Conference
May 9, 2013
Scott E. Belz
Agenda
SSES History
Testing Methods and Findings
Key Components of SSES Programs
Testing Methods
Brief SSES History
Began in 1970’s
Clean Water Act 1972
eliminated overflows to the
environment
Transport and Treat was
‘preferred’ method of
rehabilitation
Testing Methods and Findings
Sounds Simple….. Right?
5
Key Components of SSES Programs
Prioritize sewersheds within the
community
Implement a public education program
Understand the drainage systems
6
Prioritize the Sewersheds Flow Monitoring
Identify areas with Inflow and Infiltration (I/I)
Monitor entire area simultaneously!
Same storm events
Develop plan for field work
Groundwater Monitoring
Identify areas with infiltration
Identify groundwater in sewer
Can be coordinated with flow monitoring and rain events
Public Education
A ‘Must Do’
Prepares public for the testing process
Educates about I/I and resulting flooding
Reduces questions to the City
Understand the Drainage System
Storm and sanitary sewer systems are
different
Type of drainage guides testing
method
Storm Sewer Systems Traditional (Storm Pipe Network)- Collect all surface water through downspout
pipes, laterals and catch basins connected to Storm Sewer
Recommended Test- Smoke, Dye with CCTV
Ditch System- Stormwater travels through ditches along roadways
Recommended Test- Dye with CCTV
Limited Storm System (Street Conveyance)- Lack of storm sewers means water travels overland, uncontrolled stormwater.
Recommended Test- Most Difficult to Test. No test method can simulate actual rainfall conditions and apply test water to potential sources.
GET A STORM SEWER MAP!
Storm Sewer Systems Curb Outlet- downspouts connected and discharge
at curb, use gutter to catch basin
Recommended Test- Dye with CCTV
Splash Downspouts- downspouts splash onto ground or splash pad
Recommended Test- Dye with CCTV
Sump Pumps- downspouts and foundation drains connected to sump pump
Recommended Test- Dye with CCTV
Sanitary Sewer Systems Traditional (Sanitary Pipe Network)-
pipes collect all waste from house via lateral and mainline sewer
Recommended Test- Smoke Testing, Dye Testing
Rear Yard- Mainline Sewers are in backyard. No Storm network nearby. Difficult Testing.
Recommended Test- Dye Testing
Septic Tank System- Septic Tanks. Limited Storm.
Recommended Test- Dye Testing
Testing Methods
Manhole Inspections
Smoke Testing
Dye Testing
High
Medium
Low
13
Manhole Inspections
Identify I/I sources
Helps ‘connect’ the system
mapping
Good reference for future
testing and inspection
Smoke Testing Benefits
Quick means of identifying inflow and
infiltration sources from cracks, storm
drains, downspouts etc.
Tool used when dye testing may not work
Cons
False Negatives
MUST Dye Test to confirm results
Smoke Alarms and Fire Department
Soil Moisture Dependent
Smoke Testing Use ‘Intensified’ Method using sewer plugs
Use Liquid Smoke- longer duration, increased
volume of smoke
Use GPS to locate smoke sources
MUST verify with dye testing
Good for wide, open areas with limited water
sources
Good for trailer parks
Good screening tool
Smoke Test vs. Dye Test Comparison
26 - Dye Test Results!
0 - Smoke Test Results!
Early Dye Test Methods Dye testing was used as a verification method
Conducted dye testing of downspouts or leaks “after” smoke testing
Tested only one downspout at a time, and or the only one that smoked
Used one garden hose as water source
Visually watched downstream manhole for dye
Negatives- limited information in the findings
Modern Private Property Dye Testing
Utilizes custom made ‘manifold’ to
disperse water to as many
downspouts as possible-
simultaneously
Dye Test each accessible
downspout, area drain, low lying
area simultaneously, using
manifold
Utilize CCTV Camera to advance to sanitary lateral of house being tested
Dye Testing Schematic
HOUSE
GARAGE
MANIFOLD FIRE
HYDRANT
AREA
DRAIN
STREET
Private Property Testing Methods
Intensive Method- High Cost, High
Labor, Best Results
Detailed Method- Mid Cost, High
Labor, Next Best Results
Identification Method- Lowest Cost, High Labor, Screening Results
Private Property Testing- Intensive
Method
Intensive Dye Test Method (Highest Cost/Highest Impact)
Testing: This method requires all storm and sanitary cleanouts. A Push Camera (or lateral launch) would be inserted into each storm and sanitary sewer laterals through the cleanouts during the test.
Findings: This method will assist the City to completely understand which downspouts are leaking or improperly connected and where the location of the leak is on the property.
Pros: Very detailed, helps identify exact location of leak, may identify spot repair or lateral lining or replacement. No further testing required.
Cons: Very expensive, very labor intensive, disruptive to homeowner, must dig up lawn for cleanouts.
Timeframe: Test 2-3 houses per day
Private Property Testing- Detailed
Method Detailed Dye Test Method (Mid Cost/Mid Impact)
Testing: This method would involve a dye test of each
downspout, any area drains, driveway cracks, or low lying
areas at each property. Two CCTV cameras would be used,
one in the storm and one in the sanitary mainline sewers.
Findings: This method will assist the City to understand if the
downspouts are connected to the correct sewer, or if they are
leaking.
Pros: Gives enough information to discern where the
problem may be or if a direct connection is evident, will
identify which downspouts leak.
Cons: Expensive, more labor intensive, still requires more
testing using push camera through test tee or downspout.
Timeframe: 4-6 houses per day
Private Property Testing-
Identification Method Identification Dye Test Method (Lowest Cost/Lowest
Impact)
Testing: This method would involve a dye test of at least 4
downspouts including any area drains, driveway cracks, or
low lying areas at each property. One CCTV camera would
be used in sanitary mainline sewers.
Findings: This method will understand which houses are
contributors (screening process). Once the house is
identified, the City can let the resident know that it the
resident’s responsibility to correct the problem by hiring a
plumber/contractor to determine how the leak is occurring.
Pros: More economical, identifies which houses leak and
need to be repaired. Only need to return to positive (houses
that leaked) houses for further testing.
Cons: Still requires further testing to locate exact point of
Timeframe: 8-10 houses per day
Splash Downspouts
Disconnected (Splash)
downspouts can be a
significant source of private I/I
by transferring water from
gutter to ground to foundation
drain to lateral to main
HOUSE
FOUNDATION
DRAIN
SPLASH DOWNSPOUT
Other Private Property Sources/Causes
Disconnected downspouts along with poor grade away from house
Overflowing Gutters, blocked by leaves/debris
Connected Downspouts with blocked curb outlets
Area Drains
Summary
Prioritize the sewersheds
Provide a public education program
Identify and understand the drainage system you
are testing
Use best and most appropriate testing method
Questions?
Scott E. Belz
Manager of Field Operations
Cleveland, Ohio