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Detecting I&I Issues Header

I/I: Finding the Culprit

Previously, we explored the causes of inflow & infiltration (I/I) in sanitary sewer pipes, and the significant negative impact it has on those collection systems. This time, we take a look at how we arrived at this point, and how sources of I/I can be detected.

We’ve already discussed the fact that America’s crumbling infrastructure is a main cause of the presence of I/I. It’s just one of the reasons that municipalities have been eagerly waiting to see President Trump’s promised infrastructure revitalization plan. Until that is forthcoming, however, city managers, public works officials and water management agencies will need to continue battling the I/I demon as they have been. Before they can do that, they must first determine the presence of I/I in their systems; and when it’s found, where it’s coming from.

There are two major ways that I/I is discovered in municipal collection systems. One usually leads to the other.

Smaller municipalities usually discover the presence of major I/I sources while inspecting or repairing an area of their system that’s already ailing. There may be a cave-in or sinkhole, a blockage causing a backup, or even an SSO already in progress. At that point, crews are dispatched to locate the source of the problem. Often that source is I/I from a major influx point.

Larger cities and many utility agencies with adequate budget and personnel resources will try to get out ahead of such reactionary response. They conduct regularly scheduled, full evaluations of their sanitary collection elements with a Sewer System Evaluation Survey (SSES). This activity includes:

  • Flow monitoring
  • Physical survey: Smoke testing, dyed water testing
  • Pre-cleaning internal pipe CCTV inspection
  • Removal of Infiltration and Inflow sources
  • Post-cleaning internal CCTV inspection

A Main Contributor

A huge contributor to the renegade I/I flows in most municipalities is illicit connections to the city sewer system from residential properties. Most homeowner-generated I/I is found during the physical survey portion of the SSES. This includes roof drains tied into the service line, improperly connected sump pumps, and other illegal connections.

Many times, homeowners make such connections without knowing they’re breaking the law. Of course, there are others who are aware of the prohibition against tying in to city sewer without a permit. After all, the ability to save tens of thousands of dollars that would be spent in proper connection is powerful incentive. Nevertheless, when such illicit connections are found, the city usually issues an order to disconnect. The homeowner is given a limited period of time to correct the situation, or face stiff fines.

The Cost on the Ground

Municipalities across the country face increasing I/I issues with smaller budgets to attack them. Most are raising utility rates to help cover the burgeoning cost of repairing and replacing aging sanitary sewer lines most vulnerable to the deterioration that invites I/I.

Some municipalities have started a one-cent sales tax or greater on all purchases. This is earmarked to help pay for infrastructure rehabilitation projects. Based on news coverage over the past several years, it seems more cities are taking a similar tack in their efforts to tackle the I/I issue without bankrupting their coffers.

Here at TrioVision, we offer help for those efforts. Our AssetDMS is the most comprehensive PACP certified software package available to help you track, capture and analyze your I/I issues. This pro-level package provides the capability of assessing not just sewer main  lines, but also the health and I/I issues that may be originating from laterals and manholes.

In our fourth and last post in this series, we’ll survey the way several American cities are handling the I/I issue inside of larger infrastructure renewal programs.

AssetDMS screen

New Website Launched for AssetDMS PACP Certified Software

In late October, just in time for the opening of the 2018 WEFTEC Conference, Trio-Vision launched a dedicated new website for its NASSCO-Certified PACP Data Collection Software product, AssetDMS.

The new website provides in-depth information regarding the data collection software solution for municipalities and contractors who are looking for a simple-to-use, yet powerful data collection and analysis tool.

The AssetDMS site features a distributor, sales and support staff interactive directory. It will soon be offering a blog component, to provide the industry with useful information related to

  • inspection
  • data acquisition and usage analysis
  • regulatory updates
  • and more!
AssetDMS screen

AssetDMS – Robust, versatile pipe inspection reporting and coding software

In our wrap-up of show season, we didn’t mention having exhibited our new AssetDMS CCTV asset inspection recording and reporting software. We were saving it for this post, because it’s rich and special enough to deserve its own space.

AssetDMS screen

Our AssetDMS team members, Leti and Hildemar, stayed busy in our booth, demonstrating this robust software for contractors and municipal representatives who are looking for a more versatile package that offers both:

  • NASSCO-certified PACP/LACP/MACP coding without the need to remember all codes and rules (though it does offer PACP reference photos for codes), and
  • the ability to import and export from ANY certified PACP/LACP/MACP database.

AssetDMS Features

They walked our visitors through a full demonstration of AssetDMS screens and controls. They explained that we developed the data collection process specifically to enable users in the field to collect data without having to manage multiple screens and complex database software programs. A touchscreen interface, like those of today’s smartphones and other modern electronics, makes the use of AssetDMS more second nature than work.

You could see the pleasure and, yes, even relief on the faces of these visitors, as they watched how easily they could manipulate AssetDMS, using its intuitive design and self-guiding prompts in a streamlined, simplified process that ensures critical information is always captured.

Designed To Perform

This unique CCTV pipeline inspection process is faster, easier and more productive than anything users have previously experienced. AssetDMS achieves this through several forward-looking features, based on recommendations from NASSCO for optimal performance:

  • AssetDMS userComplete on-screen/context-sensitive help file
  • Drop-down menus and intuitive prompts provide quick access to common PACP Standard reference points,
    such as:

    • Defects
    • Pipe materials
    • Survey purpose
    • Locations
    • Pipe usage, etc.
  • Extensive reporting and easy-to-understand analysis tools
  • Data exported from a PACP database or ArcGIS® software can pre-populate work orders and inspection header information, based on historical data.

There’s so much more to learn about its capabilities and features. If you’re interested, call or click today for more information. For free demonstration of our AssetDMS soft­ware suite, call toll-free 800.443.3761 or email.

AssetDMS – Setting A Higher Bar

AssetDMS screen

One of the products we’re most proud to introduce to the market is the latest version of AssetDMS, our highly engineered CCTV asset inspection recording and reporting software.

Employing an operator-friendly, intuitive touchscreen interface, AssetDMS condition assessment software makes data collection and analysis more second nature than work. Collection of data is highly streamlined, simplified and accurate with the use of built-in user prompts, so critical information is always captured.

Robust and Versatile

It’s all in the touch… AssetDMS is compatible with a wide range of manufacturer’s CCTV systems

  • Import/Export from ANY certified PACP/LACP/MACP database
  • No need to remember all PACP codes and rules
  • PACP reference photos for codes
  • Extensive reporting and easy to understand analysis tools

Learn More

Call or click today for more information, or a free demonstration of the AssetDMS software suite, or any of our full range of CCTV inspection technology. Call Toll-free 800.443.3761 or email.

Show Season: See You In Indy!

Our WWETT Show booth

Stop by and see us in Booth #6048 to see exciting new products and get show special pricing!

Having just come off our exhibit at the Underground Construction Technology Show in Ft. Worth, we now head to Indianapolis for the granddaddy of trade shows in our industry, The WWETT Show.

WWETT – The Show of Shows

If you’ve been there before, you’ll know it’s the largest annual U.S. trade show for the wastewater management industry. We know we’ll see many of you before the actual show floor opens, attending the many sessions during Education Day.

With so many offerings to choose from, including everything from safety and how-to, to business management and best practices, we know you’ll be stuffing your brains with the most up-to-date information concerning our industry.

Then, we look forward to you taking all that knowledge onto the show floor to help you choose the best new products to help you do your job faster, more easily, efficiently and effectively. That’s where we come in!

We’re really looking forward to having you stop by and visit us in Booth #6048, where we’ll be displaying and demonstrating several exciting new products this year!

Keep your eyes open for:

We’ll also be featuring the latest version of our feature-packed AssetDMS inspection recording and reporting software. You’ll want to see its new features, and especially the special show price we’ll be offering on this state-of-the-art technology.

See you in Indy!

WWETT Show 2018

For the first time, all three of our product lines will be showcased together. These include: