Collections

The sanitary sewer collections crew plays a vital role in maintaining the community’s health and safety by managing over 200 miles of gravity sewer lines that collect and transport wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries to the Water Reclamation Center.

The collections team conducts various types of inspections, including the use of a CCTV system to examine the City’s existing gravity sewer infrastructure and identify potential problems. They also inspect new construction to ensure that sewer additions are built to code and are free of debris before being connected to the existing system. Additionally, the crew performs manhole inspections to ensure that all manholes are safe and accessible for maintenance purposes.

When issues are identified during inspections, the crew carries out necessary repairs and maintenance, such as raising, lowering, and repairing manholes, as well as replacing or repairing damaged sewer lines. Routine cleaning of the gravity sewer system is also performed by jetting the sewer lines with specialized jet trucks and trailers, which helps prevent blockages and backups. A list of neighborhoods set for routine cleaning can be found below. In case of emergencies, the crew is on call 24/7 to quickly address any issues, protecting both public health and the environment.