Trenchless Approach to Providing a Targeted Solution to the Impact of Inflow and Infiltration on Buried Concrete Infrastructure

Description

Sanitary sewer collection systems form the backbone of urban infrastructure, managing wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries. Significant issues can ensue when stormwater and groundwater intrude on these systems.

This unintended influx of clean water, known as inflow and infiltration (I&I), represents a complex phenomenon within sewer systems, encompassing the entry water from precipitation events (inflow) and the ingress of groundwater into sewer lines (infiltration). Water infiltrates these systems through entry points in assets like manholes, pipes, wet wells, and lift stations, making all underground infrastructure susceptible. These seemingly innocuous water intrusions pose a formidable threat, compromising structural integrity, escalating maintenance demands, and straining operational capacities.

Most buried assets in the sanitary sewer collection system, such as concrete, brick, or masonry structures, act like buried high-density sponges over time. These substrates absorb water from the surrounding saturated earth, resulting in corrosion and erosion. Concrete and mortar contain interconnected voids and capillaries formed by air entrainment during the mixing process, allowing water to permeate through the material, increasing the asset’s susceptibility to degradation. Over time, the substrate deteriorates due to deterioration or fatigue, displaying cracks and damage which then allows water to be absorbed or directed from the saturated soil nearby.

Assets buried within the water table then become increasingly vulnerable due to hydrostatic pressure from groundwater seepage.

By exploring the intricate dynamics of I&I, Epoxytec seeks to illuminate the profound implications faced by municipalities, utilities, and infrastructure stakeholders. Furthermore, we will delve into strategies, actionable insights, and technologies aimed at mitigating I&I’s pervasive effects, enhancing sewer system efficiency while fostering sustainability and resiliency in sewer system operations.