Implementing a consistent maintenance plan for sanitary and stormwater systems is a crucial part of protecting the health and welfare of the community, safeguarding an essential asset, and demonstrating fiscal and fiduciary care. Creating and maintaining these systems extends from the public to private sectors and saves thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, the truth is that regular maintenance for sanitary and stormwater systems is not thought of until there is a problem – an expensive problem that can be avoided with cost-effective maintenance. So your first question may be, ‘Before we draw up a plan, what are we talking about?’

What Are Sanitary & Stormwater Systems? 

Not to throw shade at George, but significant differences are separating sanitary and stormwater ‘pipes’ regarding function and maintenance needs. Stormwater systems, just as it sounds, are designed for rain, snow, and phenomena of mother nature. They are equipped along roadsides and other places where you can expect rainfall to hit so it can be promptly rerouted to rivers and other waterways. On the flip side, Sanitary systems, just as it sounds, are equipped to jettison sewage from bathrooms and wastewater from kitchens to water treatment facilities.

How You Can Help Lower Maintenance Costs

Stormwater system runoff is not treated – what goes in comes out at the other end. If stormwater systems take on debris and pollutants (discussed below), those are carried to the end and dumped in the water source. Suddenly, a zombie apocalypse seems entirely plausible. Hazardous materials that runoff from residential and commercial districts, such as oil, gasoline, and cleaners, are harmful.

Preventing toxins from entering the stormwater system is ideal. Another way to help is to prevent debris from clogging up the arteries of the drainage systems in the form of grass clippings, leaves, and litter. Whether it is your responsibility for the line or the cities, maintenance costs are usually passed on to residents of communities through sewage fees. If keeping the community clean and looking out for the safety and welfare of the environment doesn’t motivate you, the expense of repairs might.

The Big Picture of Sanitary & Stormwater Networks

Municipalities, state and local governments and even some HOAs are tasked with developing and maintaining the extensive and expensive drainage infrastructure. The EPA states:

The proper functioning of these wastewater systems is among the most important factors responsible for the general level of good health enjoyed in the United States. Most members of the general public take a well-operated wastewater collection system for granted, without being aware of its design and technical workings. The public expects these systems to function effectively at a reasonable cost to ratepayers.

There are high expectations for a complex system with different regulations depending on who retains ownership. If a portion of the billion-dollar network is not operating at prime performance, it can affect the rest of the network. Things escalate quickly in sanitary and stormwater development and maintenance planning. The EPA went on to highlight: 

The current performance of many collection systems is poor and many systems have received minimal maintenance for many years…Wastewater collection systems also suffer from a history of inadequate investment in maintenance and repair often due in large part to the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” nature of the wastewater collection system which poses an inherent problem. The lack of proper maintenance has resulted in deteriorated sewers with subsequent basement backups, overflows, cave-ins, hydraulic overloads at treatment plants, and other safety, health, and environmental problems. As one of the most serious and environmentally threatening problems, sanitary sewer overflows—or SSOs—are a frequent cause of water quality violations and are a threat to public health and the environment. Beach closings, flooded basements, closed shellfish beds, and overloaded treatment plants are some symptoms of collection systems with inadequate capacity and improper management, operation, and maintenance. 

No doubt you are thinking about scheduling a system check immediately. After reading that, who wouldn’t? The EPA is scary. Let’s muscle through the benefits of why you should have a review and set up a maintenance plan. Preventative actions instead of Reactive measures are always less costly.  

What Are The Benefits of a Sanitary & Stormwater Maintenance Plan

Urban developments have enticing features, including impervious surfaces that repel water absorption. As a result, heavy rainfall will accumulate and, with some help from gravity, gain momentum and become runoff. Runoff makes its way across roads, sidewalks, and rooftops. While it is true a rolling stone gathers no moss, runoff water attracts every leaf, stick, dead bug, debris, and pollutant, effectively dispersing its findings around the community networks.

When drainage systems are operating at peak levels, the negative impact of runoff is minimized and promotes:

• Flood-free Zones by reducing water accumulation
• Minimal Erosion by diminishing the momentum of fast-flowing water
• Infrastructure Damage by ensuring pipes are not overloaded with burst-causing pressure
• Enhances Water Quality by rerouting pollutants such as grease, oil, and pesticides away from urban waterways
• Meet regulatory compliance goals
• Manageable expenditures and room for sustainable growth and development
• Improved system performance and system life

Depending on purely reactive planning leads to a host of problems:

• Poor use of resources
• High levels of equipment failures
• Inadequate budget due to emergencies that could be avoided
• Rapid deterioration

Investing time and consideration in well-planned drainage maintenance provides global, sustainable benefits to the environment, health, and pocketbook. What’s not to love? The best practice of a well-balanced, cost-effective maintenance plan requires seeking a professional with a high degree of field expertise in the industry for advice and implementation. 

Finding An Expert For Sanitary & Stormwater Maintenance Plan

Working with an expert consultant in creating a Sanitary & Stormwater Maintenance Plan ensures you are protecting an essential asset and saving time and money in the long run. When selecting a professional, some things to take into consideration are:

• Excellent Communication
• Responsive Customer Service
• An Authority in the Industry
• Certified and Knowledgeable Employees
• Impeccable Record Documentation

Experts are exposed to and familiar with several challenges that they can navigate and remedy with precise, efficient engagements. Commitment to a competent, consistent maintenance schedule ensures that small challenges do not evolve into significant events such as a sewer collapse. Corrective action can be taken to avoid debilitating invoices and loss or damage to the asset. Tasks associated with routine maintenance include the following (not a completely comprehensive list): 

• Vegetation Maintenance  
• Trash and Debris Removal    
• Mechanical/Structural Component Maintenance     
• Sediment Removal     
• Mechanical/Structural Repair     
• Erosion Repair     
• Undesirable Woody Vegetation   
• Animal Burrow Repair

Standard Pipe Services provides thorough maintenance services, including televising the sewer to monitor, initiate corrective action, and provide detailed recommendations for optimum performance and system longevity. We have specialized equipment to accurately identify problems and mediate challenging situations found at the time we see them, not weeks down the road. Televising ensures a clear picture of pipe integrity, leaks, and infiltration, which allows us to offer precise location diagnoses and solutions. In addition, we are extensively trained to meet NASSCO meet and exceed NASCCO standards under PACP format requirements.

Call or email us today and start your maintenance plan journey with an expert in the field! Follow us on LinkedIn for more tips.