Sewer laterals often don’t get much attention during regular CCTV inspections. Because municipalities are not responsible for them, they’re rarely on the usual schedule. This can leave a large portion of a collection system un-inspected, un-repaired and ready to cause problems. When laterals do end up on the docket, it’s usually for one of three reasons:

Inflow and infiltration (I&) is a risk in any waste system. Yet in regions with older infrastructure, groundwater and stormwater that enter a sewer system can account for as much as 50% of flow. The cost of this disruption should not be underestimated; in 2014 the EPA reported that wastewater collection and treatment expenses ranged from $2 to $5 per thousand gallons. An annual I&I volume of 150 million gallons would cost between $300,000 and $750,000 per year to transport and treat. Given that even small amounts translate into substantial costs, where should you draw the line on I&I? How much is too much?

When a sewer fails, the solution is seldom cheap or easy. Digging it up can be particularly costly, as well as disruptive to residential customers and road traffic. To avoid this, methods have emerged allowing sewers to be fixed without excavation. These methods are referred to collectively as “trenchless technologies.”

No two sewers pipes are alike. Many differ significantly in terms of size (both diameter and length), pipe material, effluent characteristics, service connections, soil composition and water table. Pipes also fail in different ways: they can crack, leak, settle, erode, corrode and collapse. These failures can be localized, or they can be pervasive. Moreover, the goal of rehabilitation can vary to include:

Like other civil infrastructure in the U.S., many of our sewer, storm and water lines are over 50 years old (BAFuture). One of the biggest issues facing underground infrastructure is corrosion. A study from NACE International estimates the annual direct cost of corrosion for the water and wastewater industry is $36 billion. This cost includes replacing extremely corroded lines; lost water from cracks and breaks; application of corrosion inhibitors, internal linings and external linings; external coatings and cathodic protection.

Manholes are a critical part of every sewer system as they provide necessary ventilation and an access point for cleaning and inspecting sewer lines. The EPA estimates that there are about twenty million manholes in the United States—one manhole for every 400 feet of pavement. Many of these manholes are seriously decayed or in need of immediate rehabilitation or replacement. Manholes generate a disproportionate amount of inflow and infiltration (I&I) and play a unique role in the structural integrity of roadways. From an operational standpoint, inflow and infiltration of groundwater reduces capacity of the collection system as a whole. From a structural standpoint, deterioration and corrosion within a manhole can cause cave-ins (Water World).

In 1999, publicly owned wastewater treatment plants served 189.7 million people and treated 32.1 billion gallons per day. Today, that number is exceedingly higher. The quality of our source water depends on the capacity of wastewater treatment plants and ensuring that extraneous water entering the system is minimized. This extraneous water includes water entering the system through inflow and infiltration (I&I).

The foundation of Franklin Township’s Sewerage Authority’s sewer inspection program is a dedicated focus on preventative maintenance. “Being proactive is the only way we can manage over 200 miles of sewer pipes inundated with infiltration,” said Scott Nocero, Franklin Township Sewerage Authority’s (FTSA) Operations Manager. Elements of their preventative maintenance program include ongoing sewer flushing, inspections and rehabilitation. These efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in inflow and infiltration (I&I) throughout their collection system.

In many cases, inflow and infiltration (I&I) accounts for up to 45% of the annual flow to treatment plants. Sources of I&I include leaky manholes, lateral connections and sewer mains. Yet, a majority of rehabilitation efforts focus solely on sewer mains.

A recent study of all municipal sewer systems in Tennessee conducted by George Kurz (I&I Survey)  shows that inflow and infiltration (I&I) represents approximately 104,720 million gallons per year. This accounts for 45% of the annual flow to treatment plants. Processing this extra water is estimated to cost at least $188 million annually statewide. This figure is conservative compared to the EPA’s recommendation in 2014 for using an O&M rate of $2 to $5 per thousand gallons− resulting in a cost estimate between $208 million to 522 million.