Infiltration occurs when groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system through defects in the system. Sewer overflows, whether into private residences and buildings, into parks and streets, or into waterways, are potential health hazards and might be violations of the Federal Clean Water Act. If owners and communities continue to ignore the deterioration of the sanitary sewer system, the system will continue to deteriorate and the cost of repair will increase. Ignoring the sewer system may force constraints on economic development and cause long-term damage to the environment. Most sanitary sewer systems are constructed as a network of manholes and pipes that flow from each building that generates sewage to a wastewater treatment plant.
Private services are pipes from the building to the sewer main.
Other defect repairs may require an entire service lateral to be replaced and may require hiring a licensed plumber. To order a colorful, concise, six-panel brochure on this topic, click here. Cooperative Agreement Assistance I.D. No.