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Sewer Lateral Electro Scan Field Verification Pilot (WERF Report INFR4R12)
Citation:
Flogel, J. AND A. Lukas. Sewer Lateral Electro Scan Field Verification Pilot (WERF Report INFR4R12). Water Environment Research Foundation, Alexandria, VA, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
Benefits: • Demonstrates the effectiveness of Electro Scan testing at detecting infiltration-related defects in sanitary sewer laterals. • Presents actual lessons learned from Electro Scan testing. • Compares Electro Scan testing to other methods of identifying lateral defects and leakiness. • Discusses benefits, negatives, and applicability of Electro Scan testing of laterals • Provides cost of Electro Scan testing of laterals
Description:
Abstract:WERF selected a proposed research project to field test an emerging technology for inspecting sanitary sewer lateral pipes. The technology is called Electro Scan and is used to find defects in laterals that allow the infiltration of groundwater into the lateral. Electro Scan testing involves passing an electrical probe through a pipe filled with water. The probe emits a focused electrical beam that is able to pass through the pipe wall into the surrounding soil, ultimately to complete an electrical circuit with a ground rod. The significance of the electrical signal suggests the significance of the infiltration defect. Over 100 laterals were tested in the City of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, as a pilot project partially funded by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). These tests were then compared to additional information concerning the condition of the laterals, including internal television inspection, infiltration rates produced in a rainfall simulation test, and water exfiltration rates. The results of these comparisons, lessons learned, and costs related to the testing are presented in this report, suggesting that while less expensive than a CCTV inspection, Electro Scan is best when performed with CCTV. [NOTE: For link (url) below – click on “sign in”; sign in or create new account; return to home page; enter project number in “search” box; and click on report title.]
