Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Oregon Operators Conference August 16, 2018

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

• Inflow vs Infiltration• Regulatory Requirements

– Permit Requirements– SSO Enforcement

• Smoke Testing Basics• Riddle’s DYI Project• Putting It in a Report• Follow Up & Lessons Learned• Questions

CLASS OUTLINE

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow vs Infiltration

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow vs Infiltration

Inflow: Rainwater

Infiltration: Groundwater

Inflow and Infiltration

Rain and High Groundwater AffectsWastewater Collection System

Inflow: Rainwater

Infiltration: Groundwater

Inflow and Infiltration

Rain and High Groundwater Affects

Wastewater Collection System

*

Sanitary sewer system designed to convey (transport) wastewater not stormwater.

Broken sewer system allows:

rainwater to enter = Inflow

and, in deeper sewers,

allows groundwater to enter = Infiltration

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Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow vs Infiltration

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow vs Infiltration

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow vs Infiltration

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Regulatory Requirements – Permit Conditions

The permittee must submit to DEQ an annual inflow and infiltration report as directed in Schedule B. The report must include the following:

a. An assessment of the facility’s I/I issues based on a comparison of summer and winter flows to the plant.

b. Details of activities performed in the previous year to identify and reduce inflow and infiltration.

c. Details of activities planned for the following year to identify and reduce inflow and infiltration.

d. A summary of sanitary sewer overflows that occurred during the previous year. This should include the following: date of the SSO, location, estimated volume, cause, followup actions and if performed, the results of ambient monitoring.

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

CMOM – Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance

• EPA – January 2005– Collection System Management– Collection System Operation– Equipment and Collection System Maintenance– Sewer System Capacity Evaluation -Testing and

Inspection– Sewer System Rehabilitation

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

CMOM – Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance

• Manhole Inspections – Every 1 to 5 years.• Sewer Cleaning – Minimum of every 5 years.

Trouble Spots more often.• TV inspection – Minimum of every 5 years.• Smoke Testing – As needed to address Inflow

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

EPA Criteria for Non-Excessive I/I

• Average daily flow during periods of significant rainfall is < 275 gallons per capita per day

• Example Powers:– Identified 17 significant rainfall events.– Highest daily flow was 1.64 MGD– Average daily flow of 17 events = 1.57 MGD.– GPCPD = 1.57 MGD/906 = 1732

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Inflow Response to Rainfall

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

CMOM Smoke Testing Checklist

• Does the owner or operator have a smoke testing program to identify sources of inflow and infiltration into the system including private service laterals and illegal connections?.

• Are there written procedures for the frequency and schedule of smoke testing?

• Is there a documented procedure for isolating line segments?• Is there a documented procedure for notifying local residents that

smoke testing will be conducted in the area?• What is the guideline for the maximum amount of line to be tested at

one time?• Are there guidelines for the weather conditions under which smoke

testing should be conducted?• Do the written records contain location, address, and description of

the smoking element that produced a positive result?

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

CMOM Smoke Testing Checklist

• Do the written records contain location, address, and description of the smoking element that produced a positive result?

• What follow-up occurs as a result of positive results for smoke or dye testing?

• Is there a goal for the percent of the system smoke tested each year?• What percent of the system has been smoke tested over the past

year?• Does the owner or operator have a dyed water flooding program If so

please describe.• Is there a goal for the percent of the system dye tested each year?• What percent of the system has been dye tested over the past year?• Does the owner or operator share smoke and dye testing equipment

with another owner or operator?

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Smoke Testing Process• Simulated smoke is injected into the sewer system. • Each smoke test lasts approximately 10 to 30 minutes.• Photographs are taken to document results.• Residents/Property Owners do not need to be home.• Residents/Property Owners can still use faucets and

bathroom facilities.

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Smoke Testing Process Introduce Smoke Force Air Into System Observe Where Smoke Escapes

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Smoke Testing Equipment• High Volume Air Blower

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Smoke Material Used • Smoke Machine with High Volume Air Blower

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke Testing

Pipe Diameter Length

12” 2,235 feet

10” 4,410 feet

8” 14,795 feet

6” 1,340 feet

Total 27,190 feet

Step 1: Describe the system

EXAMPLE

Population: 1080

Number of Connections: 365

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke TestingStep 2: Map the system

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke TestingStep 3: Preparation

• Get volunteers with digital cameras

• Prepare record sheets and clipboards

• Mailers with FAQs• Door Hangers • Notice in Utility Bill

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke TestingStep 3: Preparation

• Police & Fire Departments notified on a regular basis.• Door Hangars placed on property front doors (within 3

days of testing) • Automated phone call notifying properties that testing will

occur in a few days.

• Properties/ Residents having individuals with respiratory and/or mobility limitations, or pet concerns: Contact again with a specific time when testing will occur. Properties monitored during the time of the test.

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke TestingStep 4: Organize City Crew and Volunteers

Riddle Example• City Crew (3 people) • 1 ran the smoke machine• 2 looked for smoke, took pictures, and

recorded addresses• 2 days• Done during the work week

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

DYI Smoke TestingStep 5: Putting it in a Report

• Doesn’t have to be fancy• Just photos and labels• Microsoft Word macros are available to help

organize photos• Include Summary Sheet

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

Riddle DYI Smoke Testing Project Follow Up and Lessons Learned

• Keep record of when deficiencies are corrected• OK to just make notes on photolog

Sewer Smoke Testing in Small Communities

QUESTIONS?

Slide Number 1CLASS OUTLINEInflow vs InfiltrationInflow vs InfiltrationInflow vs InfiltrationInflow vs InfiltrationInflow vs InfiltrationRegulatory Requirements – Permit ConditionsSlide Number 9CMOM – Capacity, Management, Operation, and MaintenanceCMOM – Capacity, Management, Operation, and MaintenanceEPA Criteria for Non-Excessive I/I�Inflow Response to Rainfall�CMOM Smoke Testing ChecklistCMOM Smoke Testing ChecklistSmoke Testing ProcessSmoke Testing ProcessSmoke Testing EquipmentSmoke Material Used DYI Smoke TestingDYI Smoke TestingDYI Smoke TestingDYI Smoke TestingDYI Smoke TestingDYI Smoke TestingSlide Number 26Riddle DYI Smoke Testing Project �Follow Up and Lessons LearnedSlide Number 28