How to Prevent Sewer Overflow

Excessive infiltration may cause sanitary sewer overflows during wet weather

Inflow and Infiltration is caused by storm water or groundwater entering the sanitary sewer collection system. Inflow is caused by rainfall entering a collection system through direct connections such as roof leaders, basement and yard drains, sump pumps, manholes and cross connections with storm water lines. Infiltration is caused by groundwater entering a collection system through defects in the sewer mains or laterals and manholes.

Inflow and Infiltration can impact a sanitary sewer system in several ways including:

• Causes sanitary sewer overflows
• Reduces the ability of collection system and treatment plants to transport and treat sewage
• Increases costs at the treatment plants, which in turn increases the rates to the customers

A good preventative maintenance program is key to identifying problems within the collection system and keeping the sanitary sewer system in good working order. This can help to reduce the chances of a sanitary sewer overflows and increase capacity in both the collection system and treatment plant. A proactive approach to maintaining a collection system can save money and help to protect the environment.

Helping our Clients Face the Rain

St. Lawrence Borough | SSM assisted the Borough in completing sanitary sewer rehabilitation projects for the past 40 years. We completed a sewer rehabilitation project that included lining of over 1,500 LF of sanitary sewer main, several point repairs to the sewer main and rehabilitation of a leaking manhole. This project eliminated approximately 20 gpm of infiltration into the Borough sanitary sewer collection system.