Challenges and how you can help keep Costs Down
Written by Larry Travis, Jr., Plant Operator
Inflow and Infiltration
One of the main problems with our collection system is I/I (inflow and infiltration). Inflow is the result of direct connections of rain gutters, sump pumps, cellar drains, area drains or storm lines to the sanitary sewer system. Infiltration is the result of groundwater entering the pipes through cracks, poor connections or broken pipes. Excessive I/I during wet weather causes the treatment plant to be hydraulically overloaded and requires the bypassing of untreated flow to the river.
By disconnecting roof and cellar drains from the sewer, rerouting sump pumps, placing caps on cleanouts and repairing broken lines, you can help reduce the hydraulic overload to the treatment plant.
Fats, Oil and Grease
Sewer overflows and backups can cause health hazards, damage home interiors, and threaten the environment. An increasingly common cause of overflows is sewer pipes blocked with grease. Grease gets into the sewer from household drains as well as from poorly maintained grease traps in restaurants and other businesses.
Grease is a byproduct of cooking and is found in things such as meat fats, cooking oil, shortening, butter food scraps, and dairy products.
Often grease is washed into the plumbing system usually from the kitchen sink. As the grease goes down the drain it cools off and begins to stick to the inside of the pipes. Over time the grease can build up and block the entire pipe which can result in a backup into the home or in the street.
The easiest way to solve the grease problem and prevent overflows is to keep the material from entering the sewer system in the first place.
There are several easy ways to prevent this:
- Never pour grease down the sink or toilet.
- Scrape grease and food scraps from plates, pots, and pans into a can or the trash.
- Pour leftover cooking oil into a jar or other container and dispose in the trash.
- Do not put grease or meat scraps in the garbage disposal.
Clean water is everyone's business and with your help we can help to keep our waterways clean
and also reduce operating costs.