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Report on Condition Assessment Technology of Wastewater Collection Systems
Citation:
Tuccillo, M. E., J. Jolley, K. Martel, AND G. Boyd. Report on Condition Assessment Technology of Wastewater Collection Systems. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/101, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
The wastewater collection system infrastructure in the United States is recognized as being in poor condition and in urgent need of condition assessment and rehabilitation. As part of an effort to address aging infrastructure needs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has initiated research under the Aging Water Infrastructure program, part of the USEPA Office of Water’s Sustainable Infrastructure initiative. This report presents the results of a three-year research project titled Condition Assessment of Wastewater Collection Systems. The goal of this report is to provide utilities with information on current innovative and emerging technologies for conducting sanitary sewer condition assessments. This information, which includes performance data and, where available, cost information, can be used as a resource when selecting the most appropriate technology given a system’s characteristics, history, and condition assessment goals. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) provides a detailed view of the interior surface of pipes and permits characterization of pipe defects through a systemized coding process. It has long been the mainstay of sewer condition assessment and will likely remain a vital part of condition assessment programs. However, a number of other technologies are available and can be used to identify different types of defects as well as to assess pipe wall integrity and soil envelope quality. Data from these technologies can complement CCTV data and help target CCTV inspections in problem areas. When considering various technologies for application, utilities need to match the pipe types, materials, defects of concern, and program goals for their systems with the capabilities of different technologies. Also, a number of technologies from other industries are being evaluated for potential applications to sewer condition assessment; utilities should watch for further developments.
URLs/Downloads:
REPORT ON CONDITION ASSESSMENT TECHNOLOGY OF WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS (PDF, NA pp, KB, about PDF)NRMRL Pubs Website