1
2
Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions About SSES Approach to Work Seal of Excellence Why Choose DACA? Social Responsibility
2 4 6 12 14 17
1
Frequently Asked Questions Q- What is a Sanitary Sewer System? A- It is the network of pipes running underground and other facilities, such as pump stations, that collect and transport the wastewater from houses to wastewater treatment plants. At the treatment plant, the wastewater is processed (treated) before being returned to the environment. Q- What does the sanitary sewer system do? A- Using gravity, the pipes convey the wastewater downstream through the pipes from one point to the next. When the pipes are too deep, pumping stations do the work by pushing the wastewater through the pipes until it reaches the treatment plant. The sanitary sewer system could be either PUBLIC or PRIVATE. Sanitary sewers on the public right-of-way and maintained by the local utility are considered public sanitary sewer systems. If the sanitary sewer systems are within private properties, they are normally considered private. There are approximately 730 facilities in Miami-Dade County with private pump stations and approximately 1,420 public pump stations currently in operation.
2
Q- Why is it needed? A- If the wastewater is not properly collected and transported to the treatment plants, the raw wastewater might end up into our canals, lakes or beaches. Human contact with bodies of water contaminated with wastewater could cause illness. If those bodies of water cannot be used due to contamination, it would mean that no swimming, fishing or any human activity could be permitted in those surface waters. Q- What is a sewer tap? A- The sewer tap is the physical connection point where the homeowner’s sewer service line connects to the city municipal sewer line. Q- What is a service line? A- The service line is the sewer constructed by private owners for use on their properties. In other words, the service line serves a single user, not the community. The service line connects your home to the city sewer. The maintenance and repair of the entire service line is the property owner’s responsibility. Q- What is SSO? A- Stands for Sanitary Sewer Overflow. It is a condition whereby untreated sewage is discharged
into the environment prior to reaching sewage treatment facilities. When caused by rainfall, it is also known as wet weather overflow. The main causes of SSO are: • Infiltration of excessive stormwater into sewer lines during heavy rainfall • Rupture or blockage of sewerage lines • Malfunction of pumping station lifts or electrical power failure • Human operator error at treatment plant facilities.
Environmental Resources Management monitors and regulates all privately owned or operated sanitary sewers within Miami-Dade County. By implementing this program, compliance and proper operation of the private sewer system can be ensured.
Q- Why do we need an SSES? A- Pursuant to Chapter 24 of the Miami –Dade Q- What is PSO? County Code, the Second Cycle for the SSES is A- It is a Private Sanitary Sewer Operating permit due by November 12, 2012. The completion of for the operation of all privately owned or operated this work will require that the sanitary sewer sanitary sewer systems within Miami-Dade County. collection system be surveyed and/or tested to ensure compliance with the Code. The Private Sanitary Sewer Operating permit is necessary because it is the mechanism in which
3
All you need to know about your Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey
Sanitary sewers are built to carry domestic If owners and communities continue to ignore wastewater away from private the deterioration of the sanitary sewer system, properties. In more recent years, with the system will continue to deteriorate and the the deterioration of systems and cost of repair will increase. Ignoring the sewer inadequate transportability due system may force constraints on economic to growth, systems have begun development and cause long-term damage to experiencing sanitary sewer the environment. Sewer overflows, on both public and private property. SSES is a comprehensive overflows, Sanitary sewer overflows and systematic process whether into are generally caused by: designated to identify • Infiltration and and investigate residences and inflow (I/I) sanitary sewer buildings, into parks and • Inadequate pipe system problems and sizes streets, or into waterways, develop maintenance • Maintenance and rehabilitation are potential health problems methods to solve these problems. hazards and violations of Infiltration occurs the Clean Water Act when ground water enters the sanitary sewer During the survey, the system system through defects in is thoroughly inspected and data the system. Inflow occurs when about the condition of various system storm water or rainwater enters the components are collected. sanitary sewer system through defects and illegal connections in the system. The inability The main field investigative procedures typically of the system to transport these flows will include: result in: • Flow Monitoring • Insufficient service to customers • Smoke Testing • Sewer backups into buildings • Manhole Inspections • Sanitary sewers overflowing into • Dyed Water Testing waterways • CCTV Inspection/Sewer Scanning
4
“Out of sight, out of mind� has all too often become the mindset when it comes to dealing with our sanitary sewer system
5
Approach to Work Mobilization & Planning Upon notice to proceed, the project team will mobilize to the project site. Initial on-site contact will serve to establish the lines of communication between DACA Environmental, Inc. and the designated owner representatives. All work involving manhole entry into the sewer system will be closely coordinated with local emergency personnel. Reports are prepared to establish each manhole condition and repair requirements. The sewer lines entering and leaving the manhole are compared to existing plans and any corrections noted on the drawings. A visually correct digital
6
map of the study area is developed to provide a complete inventory of the sewer lines. The manhole “Visual Inspection Form� required by the Department of Environmental Resources Managaement (DERM) is filled out. This information is necessary to accurately perform an inventory and estimate the repair costs if applicable. The proper inspection of manholes also provides data on those portions of the collection system in need of cleaning to restore capacity and those defects that contribute to excessive infiltration. DACA has trained its personnel to do this type of investigation and to collect the data that DERM requires for this phase of the survey.
Flow Isolation Flow isolation measurements are taken where groundwater has been determined to enter the collection system in significant quantity to “isolate” those line segments contributing to excessive infiltration.
Flow Monitoring Value conscious flow monitoring is a message that differentiates DACA Environmental, Inc. from other flow monitoring service agents. Our only stake in flow monitoring is to do what is technically correct for the program. Our approach keeps budgetary concerns in mind at all times. With twenty years of experience, we know 30 days of monitoring is normally sufficient to derive the valuable flow solutions needed for a “Sanitary Sewer EKG”. If meteorological conditions are unkind, we are flexible in offering a solution to minimize cost while not sacrificing project integrity. Additionally, monitor spacing is predicated on sound engineering principles and unique system constraints. DACA will insure proper financial and time management by using the appropriate amount of monitors needed for accurate results.
Isolation of groundwater is undertaken during the early morning hours (midnight to 6 am) when residential usage is minimal. Portable pipe weirs are placed in the sewer line to measure the flow in micro-systems of approximately 10,000 linear feet. The gallons-per-day, per inch-diameter-mile (idm) are then calculated to isolate the areas contributing significant infiltration. Further isolation is then performed on each micro-system on a line segment by line segment basis to identify which segments are the major contributors and the results are then prioritized.
There are various reasons to monitor wastewater flows including: master planning, infiltration/ inflow reduction, Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) elimination, Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) analysis, pipeline capacity analysis, pipeline design, performance and testing, and customer / city billings.
7
Equipment for Flow Isolation
Smoke Testing
Smoke Testing has proven to be the most economical method to identify inflow sources in sewer lines and illegal tapping. To isolate middle manhole
To perform by-pass
Field documentation includes sketches and photographs of each system defect along with pertinent information for prioritizing the defects and determining the best repair method. The location of each defect is marked by Global Positioning System (GPS). The smoke testing provides detailed information on the location of wet weather inflow sources. In order to maximize the identification of inflow sources by smoke testing, it is important to undertake the testing during dry soil conditions. Soils that are saturated will not allow the smoke to exit. To identify defects in the sewer, non-toxic smoke is forced into the manhole and pipelines. Any break in the sewer will allow the smoke to escape. One line segment, upstream and downstream, of the machine is tested at a time.
To isolate broken section of pipe
8
Isolating section of infiltration to complete the smoke test
Public relations are very important during this phase of the project. Each resident must be notified prior to testing in person or by use of door flyers. A local telephone number must be provided for those with questions or for anyone requiring special assistance. The local fire department must be notified of the crew location since the smoke may enter the homes through defective plumbing.
9
Dye Testing Leaks detected by smoke testing can be further isolated by forcing dye water into the ground at the point where the smoke is released and monitoring the inflow using a specialized sewerline camera. Dye water flooding is also extremely useful in evaluating manhole conditions.
10
Some dye water testing can be anticipated to assist in the location and quantifying of specific defects during the internal TV inspection. Nontoxic dye may be introduced as a powder or liquid to assist in the field effort. Casting / cone connections may be dye tested to determine the potential severity of inflow and to determine the exact source of wet weather inflow. Cross-connections, roof drains, and area drains that are suspected of being connected to the sanitary sewer may be positively identified using the dye tracer procedure. Field documentation and photographs are used to record all findings.
CCTV Inspection This phase of the sewer system testing involves the use of internal color television cameras that visually establish the pipeline conditions as it is propelled through the pipe. Any structural problems or defects are recorded on videotape along with the distance to the defect from the upstream manhole. Internal TV inspection is necessary to identify the source of some smoke defects and to pinpoint excessive infiltration identified during the flow isolation. Storm sewers that smoke test positive could be a direct connection to the sanitary sewer or possibly bad pipe joints in both the storm and sanitary sewer that allows water to migrate from one to the other. Internal inspection, along with dye water flooding, serves to pinpoint the source of the extraneous water and to determine the best method to repair the deficiency.
Wet Weather Inspections Wet weather inspection is a process of postanalysis evaluation from dry weather data collection. As DACA Environmental, Inc.’s personnel gather information, the analysis provides a “window” as to potential problems associated with infrastructure defects. This “window” is developed during dry weather investigations and allows the field personnel to isolate and quantify the problem areas. What wet weather inspection allows is a physical inspection of extraneous flow activities within the areas previously inspected during the “window” phase. The verification of specific problems is then documented, photographed and reviewed for repair costs.
11
Seal of Excellence Our company was founded on three basic principals:
• Quality • Neatness & • Reliability
We are very proud of our established market presence, satisfied clientele and ability to communicate with our customers. In addition, we benefit from our full service capabilities, industry reputation, strategic partnerships, and commitment. We take pride in completing projects safely, meeting deadlines & schedules, and working within budgetary limits.
12
Safety First
At DACA Environmental, Inc. Our motto is: “Safety Protects the Employee, Quality Protects the Job”
13
The Company’s success is strongly due to each associate’s contribution through his or her efforts to effectively and efficiently do their job.
Why Choose DACA Environmental, Inc.?
By choosing DACA, customers will develop their projects with the assurance that they will be constructed on-time, within budget and with a painstaking attention to quality.
We offer the following advantages:
• A close relationship with Clients and the DACA Team to build effective partnerships. • Constant development of new and less expensive methods and procedures. A better product at a lower price to our customers. • Sound constructability and engineering studies providing effective analysis tools.
14
• Cost-effective construction services. • Efficient management of construction activities. • Direct Involvement of Senior Management. • A wide spectrum of construction services with an emphasis on personalized client support partnership.
15
16
Social Responsibility Our planet is immense, but yet, fragile. Daily headlines remind us that we live in a delicate ecosystem under serious assault. Thankfully, a new attitude is emerging. One that takes responsibility for the problems we face and resolve to treat the planet more kindly. It is about going green. The operation of DACA Environmental, Inc. safeguards human health and welfare, protects the ecological balance, and preserves the environment for aesthetic, cultural and or historical purposes. That is the reason all our operations will be governed by the following regulations: 1. Environmental Protection Agency 2. Department of Regulations and Economic Resources Environmental Resources Management 3. South Florida Building Code 4. Florida State Department of Environmental Regulation 5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration 6. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Administration 7. Miami-Dade County Public Works Manual
17
12240 sw 131st Avenue
Tel.: 305.251.8104
Miami, FL 33186
Fax: 305.254.3053 sales@dacaenvironmental.com
www.dacaenvironmental.com