Inflow and Infiltration are very common in Florida.  Inflow and infiltration refer to rainwater and groundwater that enters the sanitary sewer through manholes, cracks or breaks in piping, cleanouts, etc. A certain amount of I&I is unavoidable and is accounted for in routine sewer design. However, when I&I exceeds design allowances, facility capacity is consumed and can be exceeded which can result in overflows, risks to health, damage to the environment, effluent and permitted capacity violations as well as increased conveyance and operational costs. Treating wastewater is costly.  Therefore eliminating flows that are not emanating from consumers, often pays for itself, but can also be costly.  

 

Detection methods include one or more of the following:

1.     Flow Monitoring – sewage flow rates are monitored at various locations within the sewage collection system and/or at the treatment facility. The flow data is analyzed, along with rainfall data, to help determine if there is excessive I&I within the study area.

2.     Smoke Testing – a non-toxic, stainless, odorless, vegetable-based “smoke” is injected, under pressure, into a sanitary sewer manhole. If smoke escapes from a source not connected to the sanitary sewer system, this would indicate a sewer I&I cross-connection. This form of testing is limited however.

3.     Dye Testing – non-toxic dye is added to an upstream freshwater source believed to be contributing to I&I.  The downstream sanitary sewer is then monitored for traces of the dye to confirm the existence of a sewer cross-connection.

4.     Closed Circuit Television Inspections – a video camera is sent through a sewer line to record the condition of the sewer. The video footage is analyzed for cracks, intrusions and leaks.

5.     Inspections – engineers, building inspectors, trained operators and trained maintenance personnel visually inspect and assess the condition of the sewer system.

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