Private Property Infiltration and Inflow Control

By Water Environment Federation

Infiltration and inflow (I/I) control efforts are a significant challenge for utilities and private property I/I sources present even greater hurdles.Private Property Infiltration and Inflow Control offers guidance on methods to identify, locate, and estimate the magnitude of private property I/I, as well as best practices for employing corrective actions to control it.

Intended as a resource for utility and collection systems managers, engineers and scientists, and public health officials, the guide also outlines the critical elements for implementing a successful private property program and navigating the many barriers to implementation, including how to:

• Understand the legal, funding, political, and regulatory considerations that need to be addressed as part of a private property program;
• Distinguish the various types of private property programs that utilities are using, including enforcement-based programs, point-of-sale inspection programs, and assumption of public responsibility for maintenance of varying portions of the private sewer.

Included are case studies of leading private property programs from around the country, as well as results of the 2015 WEF Private Property I/I Survey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Water Environment Federation
• Release date: May 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781572783287

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The material presented in this publication has been prepared in accordance with generally recognized engineering principles and practices and is for general information only. This information should not be used without first securing competent advice with respect to its suitability for any general or specific application.

The contents of this publication are not intended to be a standard of the Water Environment Federation® (WEF) and are not intended for use as a reference in purchase specifications, contracts, regulations, statutes, or any other legal document.

No reference made in this publication to any specific method, product, process, or service constitutes or implies an endorsement, recommendation, or warranty thereof by WEF.

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About WEF

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation. To learn more, visit www.wef.org.

Prepared by the Private Property Infiltration and Inflow Control

Task Force of the Water Environment Federation

Jane McLamarrah, Ph.D., P.E., Chair

Aaron Witt, P.E., Vice-Chair

Josh Arnold

Terry A. Bartels, P.E.

Mike Beattie

Gary S. Beck, P.E.

Kristen E. Buell, P.E., ENV SP

Paul Burris

William C. Carter, P.E.

Laurie Chase, P.E.

David Cooley, P.E.

Darryl Corbin, P.E.

Jaime M. Davidson, P.E.

John Farnkopf, P.E.

Sean W. FitzGerald, P.E.

M. Truett Garrett, Jr., P.E., Sc.D.

Rhoda Hall, EPI

Eric M. Harold, P.E., BCEE

John D. Hendron, P.E.

Stephen P. James, P.E.

Stephen Jeffus, P.E.

Jacqueline Zipkin, P.E.

Jack Keys

Jeffrey P. King, P.E., LEED AP, CPESC

Brandon Koltz

George E. Kurz, P.E., DEE

Ryan C. Laninga

Tyler Lewis

Paul G. Maron, P.E.

Gary Merriman

Kate Mowbray

Richard (Rick) E. Nelson, P.E.

Dan Ott, P.E.

Christopher Pawlowski, Ph.D., P.E.

Robert A. Pennington, P.E., BCEE

Charles Poskas, P.E.

James R. Rabine, P.E.

Christopher Ramsey, P.E.

Matthew Richardson 

Jeff Scarano

Nancy Schultz, P.E., D.WRE

Russ Stammer, P.E., LEED Green Associate

David C. Tipping

Christina Willson, P.E.

Michel Wanna, PMP

Tina Wolff, P.E.

Under the Direction of the Collection Systems Subcommittee of the Technical Practice Committee

Special Publications of the Water Environment Federation

The WEF Technical Practice Committee (formerly the Committee on Sewage and Industrial Wastes Practice of the Federation of Sewage and Industrial Wastes Associations) was created by the Federation Board of Control on October 11, 1941. The primary function of the Committee is to originate and produce, through appropriate subcommittees, special publications dealing with technical aspects of the broad interests of the Federation. These publications are intended to provide background information through a review of technical practices and detailed procedures that research and experience have shown to be functional and practical.

Water Environment Federation Technical PracticeCommittee Control Group

Eric Rothstein, C.P.A., Chair

D. Medina, Vice-Chair

Jeanette Brown, P.E., BCEE, D. WRE, F.WEF, Past Chair

H. Azam

G. Baldwin

Katherine (Kati) Y. Bell, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

J. Davis

C. DeBarbadillo

S. Fitzgerald

T. Gellner

S. Gluck

M. Hines

B. Jones

C. Maher

R. Lagrange

J. Loudon

S. Metzler

J. Miller

C. Peot

R. Pope

R. Porter

L. Pugh

J. Reeves

A. Salveson

S. Schwartz

A. Schwerman

Andrew R. Shaw, P.E.

A. Tangirala

R. Tsuchihashi

N. Wheatley

Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

Preface

Chapter 1     Introduction

Jaime M. Davidson, P.E.

1.0     BACKGROUND

2.0     OBJECTIVES

3.0     ADDITIONAL PRIVATE PROPERTY-RELATED EFFORTS

4.0     REFERENCES

Chapter 2     Private Infiltration and Inflow Definitions and Problems

Jane McLamarrah, Ph.D., P.E.

1.0     INTRODUCTION

2.0     PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1     Definition of Terms

2.2     Public Versus Private Responsibilities and Obligations

2.3     Survey Summary

3.0     EXTENT OF PRIVATE INIFILTRATION AND INFLOW

3.1     Infiltration and Inflow Sources

3.2     Infiltration and Inflow Magnitude

4.0     PRIVATE INFILTRATION AND INFLOW EFFECTS

4.1     Economic Issues

4.2     Environmental and Public Health Issues

4.3     Regulatory Issues

5.0     PRIVATE INFILTRATION AND INFLOW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

6.0     REFERENCES

Chapter 3     Control of Private Infiltration and Inflow     

William C. Carter, P.E.

1.0     IDENTIFYING PRIVATE INFILTRATION AND INFLOW SOURCES

1.1     Measuring Infiltration and Inflow from the Private Sector

1.1.1     Flow Monitoring Methods     

1.1.1.1     Basin Monitoring     

1.1.1.2     Manual Manhole Service Lateral Monitoring     

1.1.1.3     Service Lateral Monitoring     

1.1.2     Estimating the Private Infiltration and Inflow Magnitude     

1.1.3     Establishing the Types of Private Infiltration and Inflow Sources     

1.2     Private Infiltration and Inflow Source Identification

1.2.1     Smoke Testing     

1.2.2     Building Inspections     

1.2.3     Dyed Water Testing     

1.2.4     Service Lateral Closed-Circuit Television     

1.2.4.1     Cleanout Entry Closed-Circuit Television     

1.2.4.2     From Main Sewer Closed-Circuit Television     

1.2.4.3     Electro-Scan Testing     

1.3     Establishing Infiltration and Inflow Source Flowrates

1.3.1     Source Runoff Method     

1.3.2     Typical Private Infiltration and Inflow Source Rates (Default Flow Method)     

1.3.3     Field Verification of Source Flows Method     

1.3.3.1     Dyed Water Testing     

1.3.3.2     Data Loggers on Sump Pumps     

1.4     Private Sector Infiltration and Inflow Source Data Management

1.4.1     Geographical Information System Utilization     

1.4.2     Asset Management Software     

1.4.2.1     Building Inspection Modules     

1.4.2.2     Lateral Modules     

2.0     PRIVATE INFILTRATION AND INFLOW CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

2.1     Preventive Design Methods

2.1.1     New Sewer Design for Buildings     

2.1.2     Private Connections to Existing Lines     

2.1.3     Design Considerations for the Effects of Best Management Practices on Laterals     

2.2     Corrective Design Methods

2.2.1     Cleanout Repairs     

2.2.2     Downspouts, Driveway Drain, and Area Drain Removals     

2.2.3     Stairwell Drain Removals     

2.2.4     Sump Pumps and Foundation Drain Removals     

2.2.5     Redirecting Private Infiltration and Inflow Source Controls     

2.3     Private Lateral Repair Methods

2.3.1     Complete Liner     

2.3.2     Partial Liner     

2.3.3     Grouting      

2.3.4     Replacement     

2.3.4.1     Open Cut     

2.3.4.2     Pipe Bursting     

2.4     Private Infiltration and Inflow Removal Programs

2.5     Public Information, Education, and Guidance Initiatives

3.0     PRIVATE INFILTRATION AND INFLOW REMOVAL EFFECTIVENESS

3.1     Preconstruction and Postconstruction Flow Monitoring

3.2     Preconstruction and Postconstruction Private Infiltration and Inflow Source Testing

3.3     Private Infiltration and Inflow Removal Data Needs

4.0     REFERENCES

5.0     SUGGESTED READING

Chapter 4     Private Property Program Implementation Considerations     

Laurie Chase, P.E.

1.0     STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

1.1     Customer Stakeholders

1.2     Internal Stakeholders

1.3     Local Plumbers, Service and Repair Contractors, and Builders

1.4     Real Estate Industry Interests

1.5     Regional and Multijurisdictional Programs

1.6     Other Stakeholders

2.0     PROGRAMMATIC ELEMENTS

2.1     Program Scope and Vision

2.2     Legal Authorities

2.2.1     Sewer Use Ordinances     

2.2.2     Construction Standards and Specifications     

2.3     Program Management and Staffing

2.3.1     Management     

2.3.2     Staffing Needs     

2.4     Public Education and Communication

2.5     Budgeting

2.6     Information Management

2.7     Standard Practices and Acceptable Technologies

2.8     Sustainability (Performance Metrics, Adaptive Management)

3.0     FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS

3.1     Expenditure of Public Funds on Private Property

3.2     Diversion of Funds from Other Customer Needs

3.3     Effects on Vulnerable Customers

3.4     Effects on Local Economy

3.5     Effects on Inaction

3.6     Utility Capital Improvement Funding Requirements

3.7     Funding Mechanisms

4.0     POLITICAL AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS

4.1     Customer Equity and Environmental Justice

4.2     Private Property Rights

4.3     Local Political Issues

4.4     Federal, State, and Local Regulations and Enforcement

5.0     PRIVATE PROPERTY INFILTRATION AND INFLOW PROGRAM EXAMPLES

5.1     Enforcement-Based Program

5.2     Point-of-Sale Lateral Inspection/Corrective Action Program

5.3     Utility-Assumed Ownership and/or Operation and Maintenance of Privately Owned Lateral Program

5.4     Publicly Owned (Lower) Lateral Focused Program

6.0     REFERENCES

Chapter 5     Private Property Infiltration and Inflow Program Case Studies     

Aaron Witt, P.E.

1.0     WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION PRIVATE PROPERTY VIRTUAL LIBRARY

2.0     JOHNSON COUNTY WASTEWATER, KANSAS

2.1     Utility Background

2.2     Private Infiltration and Inflow Removal Program

2.2.1     Program Drivers     

2.2.2     Program Characteristics     

2.2.3     Public Outreach     

2.2.4     Program Resources and Tools for Source Identification and Removal     

2.2.5     Program Costs     

2.3     Program Effectiveness

2.4     Conclusions

3.0     KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON

3.1     Utility Background

3.2     Private Infiltration and Inflow Removal Program

3.2.1     Program Drivers     

3.2.2     Program Characteristics     

3.2.3     Public Outreach     

3.2.4     Source Identification and Removal     

3.2.5     Program Resources and Tools     

3.2.6     Program Costs     

3.3     Program Effectiveness

3.4     Conclusions

4.0     EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT

4.1     Utility Background

4.2     Private Infiltration and Inflow Removal Program

4.2.1     Program Drivers     

4.2.2     Program Characteristics     

4.3     Program Effectiveness and Conclusions

5.0     SUMMARY

6.0     REFERENCES

Appendix     2015 Water Environment Federation Private Property Infiltration and Inflow Survey     

Tyler Lewis

1.0     SURVEY BACKGROUND

1.1     Survey Questions

1.2     Survey Responses

2.0     UTILITY CHARACTERISTICS

3.0     SERVICE CONNECTIONS

4.0     INFILTRATION AND INFLOW

5.0     ENFORCEMENT AND FINANCING

6.0     MISCELLANEOUS

Index

List of Figures

2.1     Typical lateral installation and terminology

2.2     Percentage of service taps, lower laterals, and upper laterals located and mapped

2.3     Typical private I/I entry sources

2.4     Survey estimated private I/I sources

2.5     Percentage of total I/I related to building source connections, private laterals, and service taps

3.1     Positive private property smoke source

3.2     Post-cleanout installation and restoration

4.1     City of San Bruno POS flow chart

5.1     Johnson County Wastewater pilot I/I reduction by strategy area

5.2     Johnson County Wastewater construction cost by strategy area

5.3     Johnson County Wastewater unit construction cost vs I/I reduction by strategy area

5.4     Johnson County Wastewater I/I removal efficiency by strategy area

List of Tables

2.1     Estimated I/I contribution levels 2015 survey

3.1     Private I/I inside and outside building sources

5.1     Private I/I investigation participation rates

5.2     King County Skyway Project rehabilitation quantities and costs

Preface

This publication is intended to update Control of Infiltration and Inflow in Private Building Sewer Connections, which was published by WEF in 1999 under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This revised publication provides an overview of infiltration/inflow (I/I) entering through private property connections, including the results of a survey of wastewater utilities conducted by WEF and the Collection Systems Committee. Guidance is provided on methods to identify, locate, and