Celebrating 75 years of service in 2020, Ironhouse Sanitary District has a rich history in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. Over the years, the District has watched small communities turn into incorporated cities, added nearby communities to its own service area, and seen substantial growth across the region.

Maintaining sewer systems can be precarious work. Because of the punishing conditions sewers are exposed to daily, a variety of issues can arise—many of which are out of the control of those working to maintain them. But being able to identify the problem, and find and provide a solution is crucial to maintaining any wastewater system. Sometimes, however, those challenges are a bit more unique and require sewer professionals to think further outside the box. 

Most municipalities struggle to keep ahead of sewer maintenance needs with limited personnel and budget. No effort can be wasted, and standardization of how sewer condition is documented helps make the process more efficient.

You never know what you'll encounter when inspecting sewers, but ROVVER X's quick-change design ensures you can rapidly adapt to any challenge.

Having enough time, money and resources to maintain deteriorating sewer systems is the leading challenge municipalities and wastewater professionals face. Under these circumstances, it is more important than ever to work smarter—not harder—and to direct resources where they are needed most. Doing this takes strategy and planning. That includes gaining a system-wide understanding of infrastructure condition and prioritizing resource allocation for the best return.

The golden age of dam building in the U.S. peaked in the 1960s, with more than 600 dams constructed annually at its height. A vital part of the nation’s infrastructure, dams serve a variety of purposes, from managing flood risk and irrigating arid or semi-arid lands to generating power, providing drinking water for towns or cities, and creating recreational areas. 

As the name suggests, Integrity Inspection Solutions champions high ethical standards and an unwavering dedication to its customers. Founders Richard Mason and Cody Aberasturi started the wastewater contracting business in 2018.

Western Monmouth Utilities Authority in Manalapan, NJ has been running their CCTV truck for nearly 10 years, but it still looks and feels brand new, they say. 

“It’s been really well cared for and it’s just very durable inspection equipment,” says Ed Kovacs, collection maintenance manager and a 21-year veteran of the Authority. “It’s used frequently, yet has remained in great shape and made our job a lot easier over the years.”

The importance of sewer system condition assessments is hard to overstate. Communities depend on sewer systems to carry waste, runoff and pollutants away to a place of final treatment or disposal. Sewer assessment programs can help us better maintain the infrastructure responsible for this—and PACP plays a big role in making sure that’s done consistently.