Sewer Fundamentals
This is the term for rainwater entering the sewer system through cracks, joints, or illegal connections.
What is inflow and infiltration (I&I)?
This is the minimum recommended velocity to prevent sediment deposition in gravity sewers.
What is 2 feet per second?
Operators monitor this measurement to ensure proper capacity in sewer lines.
What is flow rate?
This type of maintenance involves work scheduled before a failure occurs.
What is preventative maintenance?
This bedding material is typically used under sewer pipe for support and establishing proper grade.
What is gravel or crushed rock?
What is sanitary sewage?
These sewer system components release trapped air and equalize pressure in pipelines.
These devices are used to divert wastewater during high flow events or maintenance.
What are bypass pumps or diversion structures?
This type of maintenance is triggered by conditions such as surcharging, overflows, or repeated blockages.
What is dewatering?
This type of sewer flow condition must be avoided because it increases corrosion and reduces capacity.
What is surcharge?
What is the Manning equation?
This routine operational activity prevents grease buildup and flow restrictions.
What is sewer jetting or cleaning?
What is mechanical cutting or root cutting?
This trenchless method uses hydraulic force to replace old pipes by breaking and expanding them.
What is pipe bursting?
This hydraulic condition occurs when the downstream system can't accept the incoming flow.
What is backwater or hydraulic grade line backup
These structures are added to reduce long sewer runs, change pipe direction, and provide access for future maintenance equipment.
What are manholes?
Operators track this variable to ensure pump stations maintain designed suction and discharge pressure.
What is pump head or static & dynamic head?
To find cracks, holes, or illegal connections, crews perform this non-destructive testing method using a small camera.
What is CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) inspection?
These engineered diagrams show contractors the required location, elevation and slopes for sewer pipes.
What are plan and profile sheets?
This term describes the friction losses caused by pipe walls, bends, and fittings in pressurized sewer systems?
What is head loss?
Engineers sometimes design these systems when topography makes gravity flow impractical.
What are pressure sewer or force main systems?
These control tools help operators manage gravity sewers by identifying abnormal flow patterns.
What are flow meters or data loggers?
Crews use this trenchless rehab method to renew pipes without full excavation.
What is CIPP (cured-in-place pipe)?
What is trench shoring or sloping?