Rehabilitation Technologies to Abate Infiltration in Sanitary Sewers
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 6
Abstract
In urban coastal environments, sewer infrastructure is plagued by infiltration which seeps into aging and compromised pipes. Infiltration increases pumping costs, reduces treatment efficiency, and may trigger release of partially treated wastewater at water reclamation facilities. This study analyzed infiltration in a small urban sewershed in Pinellas County, Florida to assess the magnitude of the problem. Flowmeters were deployed in different sections of the sewershed during 2015 and 2016 to evaluate spatial and seasonal variabilities in infiltration. To abate excessive infiltration, three trenchless sewer rehabilitation technologies were applied in 2019, and the flowmeters were redeployed in 2021 at the same locations to compare pre- and postrehabilitation conditions. The applied technologies were joint grouting, expanded-in-place PVC lining (EX liner), and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). Pipe rehabilitation reduced infiltration by 43% during the dry season and by 49% during the wet season, but effectiveness varied by technology. Data revealed that CIPP and EX liners were not as effective as joint grouting, probably because groundwater seeps into the space between the pipe and liner and at lateral connections.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code used during the study were provided by a third party. Direct requests for these materials may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgements.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) for funding this study and providing flows and groundwater data. The authors thank Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for providing precipitation data. Pinellas County Utilities and SWFWMD are not responsible for the accuracy, validity, or completeness of methods and data. This study is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by SWFWMD or PCU.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 6 • June 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 16, 2022
Accepted: Jan 26, 2023
Published online: Mar 27, 2023
Published in print: Jun 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Aug 27, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Climates
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Ecosystems
- Environmental engineering
- Hydrologic engineering
- Hydrology
- Infiltration
- Infrastructure
- Joints
- Linings
- Pipe joints
- Rehabilitation
- Seasonal variations
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Urban and regional development
- Urban areas
- Water and water resources
- Water reclamation
- Water treatment
- Water treatment plants
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Cited by
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