Services

Smoke testing will identify inflow sources and most restrictive conditions within the sewer lines. In order to identify defects in the lines, the non-toxic smoke will be forced into the sewer. During the smoke test, breaks in the sewer will allow the smoke to escape. Ordinarily, one line segment upstream and downstream of the manhole will be tested at one time.

Smoke testing of a sewer system identifies and quantifies inflow sources.  This procedure includes simultaneously testing sewer mains and services lines using a specially-designed smoke blower to force a non-toxic smoke into the sewer system.  Every defect is referenced to at least two permanent points and a schematic drawing giving detailed directions is completed and included in the final report.  Video or photographs are made of all located problems and referenced in the final report to aid the rehabilitation contractor.  An extensive public relations program is undertaken prior to testing to notify local residents, the fire department, and public officials of the procedure.

A successful program of smoke testing includes several key components:

• Equipment: Smoke testing blowers that have a minimum capacity of 1,500 cfm, are utilized.
• Staff and Safety: ADS manages the industry’s most rigorous field training program with all personnel properly certified in confined space entry, CPR, traffic control, and general field safety procedures.
• Communication and Public Response: The public notification program will provide adequate and advance warning to residential, commercial, and industrial properties along with local fire departments.
• Quality Control: Through ISO 9001:2015 approved quality control procedures, ADS maintains a complete quality control program through all phases of SSES projects.  All located severe defects including storm drain connections, are immediately reported to our clients.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) inspection services pinpoint the specific location of pipeline deficiencies. It allows for an internal, up-close evaluation of the structural conditions within the sewer pipe. CCTV inspection is performed to determine the location and extent of any defects that may permit groundwater infiltration or reduce the hydraulic efficiency of the collection system. CCTV inspection can identify pipe joints that have become misaligned, pipe joints that have missing or deteriorated joint sealing material, sections of pipe that have settled, cracked pipe, broken pipe, holes in pipe, protruding service lines, and service lines that were added to the collection system by breaking a hole in the main line with a hammer. Debris; (FOG) fats, oils or grease; or varied other blockages within pipe segments affects collection system performance and robs the system of capacity. CCTV inspection will identify those pipeline deficiencies and help with developing a systematic approach to cleaning of those pipelines.

The purpose of sewer line cleaning is to remove foreign material from the interior surface of the pipe and to restore the sewer to near original carrying capacity. Part of the success of CCTV inspection depends upon the cleanliness of the line. The cleaning equipment is capable of removing dirt, grease, roots, rocks, sand, and other materials, plus obstructions from the sewer lines and manholes. The cleaning equipment utilizes high-pressure water pumped through a hose and nozzle propelled through the sewer by water discharged from the nozzle.

ADS manages the industry’s most rigorous field training program with all personnel properly certified in confined space entry, CPR, traffic control, and general field safety procedures. Through ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, ADS maintains a complete quality control program through all phases of SSES projects. In addition, all data processing and analysis is reviewed by Six Sigma process improvement methods.

A manhole inspection is performed in order to accurately inventory the assets of the collection system, to update collection system maps and to determine the structural condition of each manhole, recording any defects.

During a manhole inspection, ADS field crews take a complete inventory of each manhole including construction materials, ring size, depth to invert, flow conditions and evidence of surcharge. All inventory information is recorded in the project database and can be used to develop maintenance and repair programs. ADS also uses digital camera equipment during manhole inspection to document defects that may be discovered.

These inspections determine the physical condition, location and length of the sewer system and isolates possible sources of infiltration and inflow.  For each manhole in the study area, field crews perform visual manhole and pipeline inspections, correcting collection system maps when errors or omissions are encountered. Manholes are frequently a significant source of infiltration/inflow, and detailed inspection of them during this phase of the study can often reduce subsequent, more expensive field tasks. Information gathered during the physical inspection helps determine rehabilitation methods and costs.

ADS manages the industry’s most rigorous field training program with all personnel properly certified in confined space entry, CPR, traffic control, and general field safety procedures. Through ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System procedures, ADS maintains a complete quality control program through all phases of the project.  All located severe defects including storm drain connections, are immediately reported to our clients.

Usually performed in conjunction with internal TV inspections. Dye Water Testing aides in the location and quantification of specific defects during an evaluation. The procedure consists of forcing non-toxic dye into defects located during smoke testing and manhole inspection. The path of the dye is then documented, and leaks in the sewer lines are located. Manholes with evidence of inflow/infiltration (I/I), mainline defects, cross-connections, roof drains and area drains can all be investigated using the dye testing/flooding procedure.

Cross-connections, roof drains and area drains that are suspected of being connected to the sanitary sewer will be positively identified using the dye testing procedure. The dye is forced into defects that were located during other system inspections. The path of the dye is then documented and leaks in the sewer lines are located. Manholes with evidence of I/I, mainline defects, cross-connections, roof drains and area drains can all be investigated using the dye testing/flooding procedure. Field documentation and photographs, where feasible, will be used to record all findings.

Flow isolation is performed in sewer lines where groundwater has been determined to enter the sanitary sewer in significant quantities. Isolation of ground water is undertaken during the early morning hours (midnight to 6am) when residential usage is at a minimum. Portable pipe weirs are placed in the targeted sewer lines to measure the flow in micro-systems of approximately 10,000 linear feet. These measurements are then correlated with the data from continuous flow monitoring, and the results determine those areas actually experiencing excessive groundwater infiltration. The gallons per day per inch-diameter-mile (idm) is calculated in order to isolate the areas contributing significant infiltration. In coastal cities and where ground water levels are high, flow isolation can be a very effective tool in locating extraneous flow.