What is that smell?
GPRS’ video pipe inspection services, which include remote-controlled robots and push fed sewer scopes, dye tracing and smoke testing, uncovered an illegal sewer connection that was leading to sewage buildup in a strip mall’s wastewater system.
Project Manager Dakota Stoutenger was called out to the plaza in Chappaqua, New York, by the real estate investment management firm which owns it. One of the tenants in the mall had noticed a foul smell emanating from their space and had failed to locate a source for the stink.
Stoutenger started by using smoke testing to inspect all sanitary vents from roof level to check for defects.
Smoke testing is a simple, non-invasive technique for detecting defects and blockages in sanitary and storm sewer lines, identifying potential inflow and infiltration (I/I) points, and exposing illegal (illicit) sewer connections. It’s useful for revealing that an issue is present, but further investigation is often necessary to pinpoint the exact cause.
The smoke testing process consists of three steps. An insertion point for the smoke cartridges first needs to be located. Then, a blower containing the cartridge is affixed securely to the sewer entry before the non-toxic smoke is released into the sewer line. GPRS’ Project Managers can then track where the smoke escapes from the system.
In a properly tied-in and maintained system, smoke will escape from other manhole covers and plumbing vents for buildings legally tied in. If smoke can be seen emanating from the ground or through cracks in the pavement, that’s a clear indication of a sewer defect and infiltration risk. If it can be seen coming from a cleanout, the cleanout cap is likely cracked. If it’s coming from manhole covers, plumbing vents, gutters, or downspouts from a residence or business that should not be connected to your system, that’s an indication of an illicit tie-in.
Stoutenger completed the smoke test on the strip mall but could not identify any likely sources for the foul smell.
“Because of this, I suggested [to the client] that we could perform additional services to further investigate potential issues,” he said.
Stoutenger deployed a push-fed sewer scope equipped with a CCTV camera and a sonde: an instrument probe that allows our Project Managers to locate and map buried sewer lines from the surface using an electromagnetic (EM) locator. He also performed additional smoke testing on the plaza’s sanitary sewer, and grease trap systems.
Finally, Stoutenger performed dye tracing on the mall’s stormwater system.
Also sometimes referred to as dye testing, this process involves introducing a non-toxic, brightly colored dye into a sewer system to track and identify flow patterns, locate blockages, detect leaks, and ensure proper connectivity. A dye introduced into a sewer line will travel with the wastewater flow, allowing technicians like GPRS’ Project Managers to observe the water-soluble chemical’s movement to gain insights into the condition and behavior of the system.
Flashlights or UV lights are sometimes used to enhance visibility, if necessary, and photographic evidence is captured to document the dye’s movement, and any issues detected.
Through this comprehensive sewer inspection process, Stoutenger was able to discover the likely source of the stink.
“I was able to determine that the neighboring tenants’ sanitary system was tied to the grease trap setup for a potential restaurant tenant,” he explained. “Due to this improper connection, it was theorized that the smells were emanating from the buildup of sewage in the grease trap manhole/vault directly outside the back door of the tenant that was complaining of smell issues. This allowed [the client] to properly reconnect this system to the correct sanitation point.”
Stoutenger supplied the client with a NASSCO-certified report of his findings, which included both photo and video evidence of what he discovered.
NASSCO is the National Association of Sewer Service Companies. This non-profit organization provides industry-leading training on the most advanced, non-destructive methods to detect and report subsurface anomalies within sewer lines.
All GPRS VPI Project Managers are certified in NASSCO’s Pipeline, Lateral, and Manhole Assessment Certification Programs (LACP®, PACP, and MACP®) so they can provide you with industry-leading service that keeps your wastewater infrastructure working for you.
From sewer lines to skyscrapers, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
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Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week Returns Oct. 21-25
Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week, sponsored by GPRS, is a safety initiative designed to help water and wastewater system operators take a more proactive approach to maintaining their infrastructure. From October 21-25, 2024, GPRS’ safety experts will travel across the country delivering free safety presentations to municipalities, engineers, facility managers, property management groups, and anyone else who is ready to regain control of their fresh and wastewater infrastructure.
Click here to schedule your free WSDAW presentation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What deliverables does GPRS offer when conducting video pipe inspection services?
GPRS is proud to offer WinCan reporting to our Video Pipe Inspection clients. Maintaining sewers starts with understanding sewer condition, and WinCan allows GPRS Project Managers to collect detailed, NASSCO-compliant inspection data. GPRS Project Managers not only inspect the interior condition of sewer pipes, laterals, and manholes – they can also provide a map of their location. The GPRS Mapping & Modeling Department can provide detailed GPS overlays and CAD files. Our detailed WinCan/NASSCO reports contain screenshots of the interior condition of the pipe segments that we inspect, as well as a video file for further evaluation, documentation, and/or reference.
Can you locate pipes in addition to evaluating their integrity?
Yes! Our SIM- and NASSCO-certified Project Managers use VPI technology equipped with sondes, which are instrument probes that allow them to ascertain the location of underground utilities from an inaccessible location. This allows them to use electromagnetic (EM) locating to map sewer systems at the same time they’re evaluating them for defects.
Does GPRS offer lateral launch services?
Yes, we offer lateral launch capabilities as part of our standard Video Pipe Inspection services.
