“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