Citation:

Lai*, D AND R Field*. USEPA RESEARCH ON INFILTRATION/INFLOW CONTROL. Presented at WEF 2001 Collection Systems Odyysey: Integrating O&M and Wet Weather Solutions, Bellevue, WA, July 08 - 11, 2001.

Impact/Purpose:

To inform the public.

Description:

From the late 60's to early 80's, the USEPA conducted a series of research, development, and demonstration projects on the characterization, cause and consequence, and control of infiltation/inflow (I/I) in both sanitary and combined sewers. The research effort was driven by the need to support the construction grants program which included the abatement of stormwater I/I that resulted in excess flows to the municipal treatment plant and caused polluted overflows. These research projects focused on I/I detection methodology and instrumentation, preventive installation, structural materials, and construction and corrective techniques. This paper will present the results of past EPA I/I research efforts, many of which significantly advanced the state-of-the-art and assisted the practicing engineering community in sewer system evaluation and rehabilitation, both reactively and proactively. It will address: 1) state-of-the-art problem assessment; 2) pressure sewer systems; 3) polymers to increase sewer carrying capacity; 4) sealing methods and materials for sewer rehabilitation; 5) demonstration and evaluation of Insituform; 6) trenchless sewer installation by the "plowing in" method; 7) house lateral rehabilitation; and 8) impregnated concrete pipe to increase corrosion resistance and strength.
This paper also briefly presents the ongoing and planned sewer system research on operation and maintenance, design, and construction. An urban infrastructure initiative to promote the use of innovative and cost-saving technologies may be considered in conjunction with efforts to address the huge infrastructure funding gaps faced by local governments across the nation. For about two decades, from the 70-80s, the impetus of sewer infrastructure work in a municipality was driven by federal requirements to eliminate "excessive I/I" and transport and treat "non-excessive I/I." However, after a decade, the effectiveness of I/I reduction did not materialize as expected. In the early 1990s, as much of the nation's collection system infrastructure continued to age and deteriorate, there was a growing concern of the health and environmental risks of sanitary-sewer overflow (SSO) which is estimated to occur 40,000 times/year nationwide. The soon-to-be-issued SSO Rule will become the impetus for preventing SSO from contaminating our nation's beaches and receiving waters.

Record Details: