The city is responsible for 127.23 miles of sanitary sewer lines, of which 116.18 miles are gravity fed lines; the remaining 11.05 miles are force mains. Pipe sizes range from that largest at 102 inches in diameter to the smallest at four inches in diameter. The vast majority of the system is comprised of eight inch lines. The pipes are constructed mainly of vitrified clay or PVC.
The sanitary sewer system also consists of 2,538 sanitary manholes, 2,313 sanitary inspection chambers and six city-owned pump stations.
Each year, the department is responsible for various EPA required activities. In 2021, 35,700 linear feet of the city’s sanitary sewers were replaced or grouted. In addition, 48 sanitary manholes were either grouted, repaired or replaced.
In order to determine which lines are in need of repair, city crews TV inspected nearly 68,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer laterals and lines in 2021. The EPA has set a goal for the city to line 2,000 linear feet of sanitary sewers each year. In 2021, only 119 linear feet of line was lined; the majority of the piping TV’d was identified for replacement not lining.
The city also regularly jet cleans sanitary sewer mains and laterals. In 2021, over 91,000 linear feet of piping was cleaned. Sewer jetting is a method of cleaning out sewers and drain lines by using high-pressure water streams through specialized jetting nozzles to dislodge and clear obstructions, as well as perform regular maintenance to prevent sewage backups.