Utilities Leverage Smart Sewer Technology to Address Immediate Infrastructure Needs

Climate change and escalation in the severity of storms, the need to reduce the carbon footprint of truck operations and chemical use, and the labor shortages due to the aging workforce have compelled utilities to engage smart sewer technology to gain the advantage of having 24/7/365 'eyes and ears' of their collection systems. From the arid desert to coastal communities, smart sewer technology has saved municipalities hundreds of thousands of dollars and protected public health by pinpointing I&I issues, preventing SSO's and reducing cleaning costs related to H2S and FOG. To better understand the operation of existing collection system infrastructure, minimize costs, and target high risk areas, many utilities have leveraged innovative real-time monitoring technology. Attendees will learn how three (3) different utilities utilize the multipurpose capabilities of smart sewer technology to combat issues within their collection systems, in turn, optimizing resources, protecting public health, and preserving utility assets. Multiple Uses for Multiple Utilities Many collection systems adhere to the EPA's comprehensive capacity assurance, management, operations and maintenance (CMOM) programs to prevent CSOs and SSOs. Such measures include backup pumps, frequent cleaning in high-risk areas, capital projects and flow reduction measures that maintain the pipes at their design capacity. While effective, these programs often don't allow utility staff to be proactive in the face of rapidly evolving events. To provide that next level of understanding, control and response, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), Charlotte Water, and KC Water looked to smart sewer technology to gain real-time visibility into the status of their underground infrastructure. Each utility used the same instant infrastructure to combat different issues within their collection system, showcasing the multipurpose capabilities of this technology. SAWS wanted to reduce H2S and optimize their cleaning; Charlotte Water needed to reduce SSO's; and KC Water is looking to both real time control and optimizing cleaning. The backbone of these utilities' technology deployment is instrumentation and data analytics provided by SmartCover Systems. SmartCover provides real-time sewer level and trend analysis information to a centralized, online dashboard and mobile app. Designed with the unique challenges of a collection system in mind, the technology transmits data from a sensor in the manhole to a satellite network to relay reliable sewer information throughout all conditions, including intense wet weather events like Category 3 hurricanes. The patented sensors are purpose-built to withstand the harsh conditions in sewer systems and can be installed and serviced without confined space entry. SmartCover provided each utility with an event management platform with localized weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to rapidly respond to issues before they become environmental, public health and financial emergencies. This system architecture has revolutionized the utility's response, allowing changes in conditions to be monitored in real-time, while reducing the uncertainty around the conditions in the network. Knowing the level trends in the sewers has helped the utilities schedule maintenance when and where it is needed most, been critical in preventing overflow events. Charlotte Water Challenge: Charlotte Water, the largest water and wastewater utility provider in the Carolinas, received an Administrative Order from the US EPA mandating the reduction of sewer overflows occurring throughout the system. Near the beginning of the order, SSO's numbered 419 for FY2007 corresponding to 10.8 overflows per 100 miles of pipe. To combat the overflows, Charlotte Water initiated massive rehabilitation and relief sewer projects. The completion of these projects and the release from the Administrative Order in 2012 caused a shift to a broader condition assessment and operations-based approach. Charlotte Water looked for a more automated way to proactively monitor hotspots in the system in order to preserve the utility's assets and resources. Solution: Charlotte Water deployed SmartCover's real-time satellite sewer monitoring technology in targeted creek basin hotspots to prevent SSO's, reduce I&I in the system and drive cleaning schedules. Results: Through the evolution of their team and program to include smart sewer technology, Charlotte Water has reduced the number of SSOs by nearly 70% through FY2022. The real-time alarms prevented 33 SSO's in FY2022 and 16, so far, in FY2023, preserving public health, the environment, utility assets and resources. San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Challenge: SAWS, the fifth largest collection systems in North America, received an EPA Consent Decree with an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. In response, SAWS adopted the EPA's CMOM guidelines and instituted high frequency cleaning (HFC) for their pipeline segments. SAWS established a program of cleaning high risk pipes with potential for overflows, and instituted routine cleanings at monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual frequencies, identifying 200 high risk sites for regular monthly cleanings whether the pipes needed cleaning or not. Solution: SAWS deployed SmartCover sensors to collect real-time sewer data which helped them transition from a routine, calendar-based cleaning system, to a prescriptive 'as needed' cleaning program when the data notified them of a potential blockage. Results: SAWS was able to reduce their collection system cleaning by 95% with ZERO SSO incidence and 216 SSO 'saves.' Nearly 1,300 cleanings were scheduled, but only 65 cleanings were identified and performed. This saved the utility an estimated $1 million in savings. This reduction in routine cleaning led to reduced wear and tear on pipes and preserved operators time and resources which could be allocated to other activities. KC Water Challenge: In 2010, a federal judge signed an EPA Consent Decree requiring KC Water to reduce the volume and frequency of wet weather sewer overflows into local creeks, streams, and rivers. Originally planned as a 25-year, $4.7 billion program, the Consent Decree is in its Third Amended stage to address the significant burden on ratepayers to fund federally mandated infrastructure improvements. The Third Amended Consent Decree has provided opportunities for KC Water to shift priorities to take advantage of newer technologies and practices. Solution: KC Water implemented a Smart Sewer program to ensure that their sewer system continues to work reliably and effectively. The Smart Sewer program uses strategic, data-driven solutions and innovative overflow control technologies to ensure infrastructure improvements and investments will last for generations. The smart solutions capitalize on enhanced sewer system asset condition and performance data and innovative technologies to minimize cost and maximize benefits. Results: KC Water has deployed a combination of technologies to monitor and assess system performance, predict sewer overflows under a wide variety of weather conditions, prioritize improvements, and reduce risk. These technologies enable KC Water to determine the performance and condition of their sewer system and support the prioritization of system improvements to prevent sewer overflows and disruptions in service. Conclusion Each utility will share their success in leveraging Smart Sewer technology to address infrastructure needs.