Claysville-Donegal Wastewater Treatment and Collection System Investigation FAQsListed below for your information are frequently asked questions regarding Pennsylvania American Water’s sewer system investigation study in support of its newly acquired Claysville-Donegal Wastewater Treatment and Collection System. What is the timeline for the start and the completion of the study?
Pennsylvania American Water will be starting the study on October 13, 2008. The expected completion of the first phase of the project is late December 2008. A second phase of the project will be conducted during the spring of 2009. Why is Pennsylvania American Water conducting the study?
The goal of the study is the elimination of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that may occur when the sewer system reaches the maximum hydraulic capacity and to prevent untreated wastewater to be released into the environment. The study complies with a Consent Order and Agreement that Pennsylvania American Water entered into with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as a requirement of our acquisition of the system. This study will ensure that customers are receiving the highest quality wastewater service at the best possible value, while protecting their quality of life by eliminating SSOs. What are SSOs?
SSOs are discharges of raw or inadequately-treated sewage from sanitary sewer systems, which are designed to carry domestic sanitary sewage but not storm water. When an SSO occurs, raw sewage can be released into basements, city streets, properties, rivers and streams. SSOs are illegal and often constitute a serious environmental and public health threat. Have there been any SSOs (overflows) recently?
No SSOs have occurred since Pennsylvania American Water has acquired the system on July 31, 2008. The system’s SSOs are a condition that predate Pennsylvania American Water’s acquisition. SSOs are often a result of a lack of capacity at the sewage treatment plant or from broken pipes, which allow rainwater and groundwater to seep into the system and overwhelm it. How will the study be conducted?
The study will be conducted in two phases. Phase one will focus on the examination of approximately 375 manholes and 12 miles of sanitary sewers, which will be inspected for cracks, collapses and blockages. The multistep process includes flow monitoring and smoke and dye testing of structures that might be connected to the collection system. Phase two of the study will include video monitoring of lines, additional smoke and dye testing, data analysis and recommended investment needs. The company will develop a rehabilitation plan after the study is completed. How intrusive will these activities be?
Pennsylvania American Water will be contacting affected residents in advance of any temporary inconveniences or service interruptions. It will be necessary for our contractors to access all existing sanitary sewer manholes in the system. These manholes are located in either the public streets or private rights-of-way owned by Pennsylvania American Water. They will also need to gain access to the outside of structures that might be connected to the system for the purposes of smoke and dye testing. These structures would include items such as driveway drains and downspouts. No heavy motorized equipment will enter the property and at no time will any contractors or Pennsylvania American Water personnel need entry into your residence. Which contractors will be conducting the study?
Pennsylvania American Water Company has contracted with several companies to perform these services in conjunction with our personnel. The companies consist of: - HDR Engineering (lead engineering contractor)
- Benchmark Engineering (survey engineers)
- Insight Pipe Company, (manhole work, as well as the smoke and dye testing)
- Drnach Environmental (installation of manhole flow meters) All contractors and Pennsylvania American Water vehicles will be clearly identified with the company’s name and all project personnel will have properly displayed identification badges. Smoke Testing Questions What is smoke testing and why is it conducted?
Smoke testing is the use of non-toxic "smoke" to help locate places where storm and other surface waters enter the sanitary sewers. It is conducted by placing a blower over a centrally-located manhole and forcing non-toxic smoke-filled air through a sewer line. The smoke will be noticeable wherever there is a leak in a sanitary sewer pipe. Such leaks might occur at: • Cracks in sewer pipes
• Cross-connections between storm sewers and sanitary sewers
• Roof drains at the connection to sanitary sewers
• Broken cleanout caps
• Defective or damaged manholes Is the smoke harmful?
No. The smoke is specially manufactured for testing and is not toxic. It leaves no residue or stains, and should not affect plants or pets. Visible smoke and/or smoke odor will last only a few minutes in cases of proper ventilation. In the unlikely event that you come in direct contact with the smoke, there is a slight possibility for minor respiratory passage irritation. However, if there are people in your household or building who have emphysema, asthma or other respiratory conditions, please notify Pennsylvania American Water, so that our project team can investigate the situation and ensure your comfort and safety. What if smoke enters the house or building?
The smoke has a very distinctive odor. Smoke can be omitted from your rooftop sewer vents during testing. This is normal. Smoke should exit the vent stacks of the surrounding properties within the testing area. If traces of smoke or its odor are detected in your building or home, it is an indication that gases from the sewer system could also be entering. Sewer gases can be dangerous, and some of these gases have no odor or color and can enter a building undetected. If you observe smoke in your building during testing, please contact your plumber to have him locate the source of the leak and take the appropriate corrective measures. It is important to locate, identify and correct the source of smoke entering your home as quickly as possible. Can smoke block the sewer?
No. Depending on the equipment being used, the smoke will be generated by lighting a device that emits a stream of smoke, or by using liquid smoke. The smoke is a vaporous substance and cannot clog a sewer pipe. How will I know when and if smoke testing is being conducted in my area?
Pennsylvania American Water will notify residents of the affected areas prior to testing. Contact numbers will be provided if you should have any questions or concerns. What should I do to prepare for smoke testing?
To avoid smoke from unnecessarily entering your building, we suggest you run water into all of your drains for 5 minutes the night prior to the date of smoke testing in your area. Don’t forgot to run water into those drains that are used infrequently, such as basement and garage drains. Make sure to slightly open windows for ventilation if pets are in the home. Dye Testing What is dye testing and why is it conducted?
Dye testing is a method used to locate rain or ground water entry points into the sanitary sewer system. During this process, non-toxic dyed water is introduced into roof drain leaders, driveway drains or area drains. In some instances, dyed water is injected into the ground around foundations to check for the illegal connection of foundation drains. After introducing the dyed water, the downstream sanitary sewer manhole is checked, or if an inspection port is present, it is checked for dyed water. Dye testing with a non-toxic dye is one way of determining where a pipe or structure drains if it is not obvious by observation or on existing plans or records. By conducting dye testing, we can identify inappropriate connections. Is the dye safe? Is the dye permanent?
The dye is non-toxic and cleans up with water. It is highly unlikely that you would come in direct contact with the dye. How will I know when and if dye testing is being conducted in my area?
Pennsylvania American Water will notify residents in the affected areas prior to the testing. Contact numbers will be provided if you should have any questions or concerns. |
