Sewer Maintenance

There are several maintenance programs to ensure that the sanitary and storm sewer system continues to operate effectively and efficiently, and to renew the aging infrastructure.

TV inspections are just one way through which the County performs sanitary and storm sewer maintenance. They help identify cracks, dislodged pipe joints, locations of house lateral connections and flow conditions.  

Sanitary Sewer

• Grid Program: All sanitary sewers are flushed with a powerful water jet nozzle at least once every four years.
• Trouble Spots: Trouble spots are identified segments of the system that have proven to be susceptible to accumulation of debris. These locations are visited on a three- or six-month cycle to be flushed.
• Grease Spots: Grease spots are segments of the system that have been identified as being susceptible to an accumulation of grease and oils, which can restrict the capacity of the sewer. They are maintained on a three- or six-month cycle. In addition to flushing the lines, a grease emulsifier is applied.
• Root Control: Some sewer mains are susceptible to invasion of roots from vegetation, which can diminish the structural integrity and inhibit the flow capacity of the pipe. Pipes are routed annually with a mechanical saw, flushed and applied with a herbicidal foam treatment.
• TV Inspection: We own two TV inspection trucks, which include a remote control carriage-mounted video camera that can be inserted into a sewer manhole and dispatched up a sanitary (or storm) sewer. The TV trucks generate a video recording, which can be analyzed at a later date to identify cracks, dislodged pipe joints, locations of house lateral connections, flow conditions and any other sewer characteristics.
• Relining: The sewer main relining program is an annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) performed by outside contractors and managed by WSS. The CIP funds the relining program to replace approximately 1.5 percent of the sewer system annually, or about seven miles of pipe. Learn more about the relining process.
• Manhole Rehabilitation: There are several different methods of rehabilitating manholes, and the rehabilitation method selected depends on the condition of the manhole. The most common methods are replacing the frame and cover, spraying cementitious mortar to the inside of the manhole, or spraying an epoxy liner to the inside of the manhole. Learn more about the Manhole Rehabilitation Program.

Storm Sewer

The Storm Sewer Maintenance and Construction Program helps to provide an efficient storm drainage system that results in fewer flooding problems on streets and private property.

• Cleaning catch basins and manholes on a scheduled basis. Over 7000 catch basins were cleaned in FY19, out of a total of 10,000 in the County.
• TV Inspection: We own two TV inspection trucks, which include a remote control carriage-mounted video camera that can be inserted into a sewer manhole and dispatched up a sanitary (or storm) sewer. The TV trucks generate a video recording, which can be analyzed at a later date to identify cracks, dislodged pipe joints, locations of house lateral connections, flow conditions and any other sewer characteristics. 31 miles of storm sewer were inspected in FY19.
• Relining: The sewer main relining program is an annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) performed by outside contractors and managed by WSS. The CIP funds the relining program to replace approximately 1.5 percent of the sewer system annually, or about seven miles of pipe. 
• Cleaning storm sewer blockages within 24 hours from the report of problems
• Repairing broken storm sewer lines
• Maintaining stream channel flow for control of minor erosion issues and ensuring that open channels retain their flow capacity.