Sanitary Sewer Maintance to Occur Throughout Summer 2014

The Columbia Public Works Sewer Utility has contracted with both Visu-Sewer and National Pipe Lining to "line" existing sewer pipes in an area defined by Business Loop 70 on the north, College Avenue to the east, Broadway to the south, and West Blvd to the west (see attached project boundary box).

As part of the Sewer Utility's maintenance program and Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) reduction program, contractors will be lining sanitary sewer pipes to provide additional life and reduce I&I.Lining of sanitary sewer pipes can extend the life of the pipe by up to 50 years, thus preventing costly excavation of the old pipe, service interuptions, and installation of new sewer pipe.

Lining of sanitary sewer pipes consists of placing a liner, a woven polyester felt material, saturated with a resin which is heat activated, inside of the pipe and then using steam to activate the resin and cure the lining in place inside the pipe. This lining seals the pipe keeping waste water inside the pipe, and storm water or ground water outside of the pipe.

Residents and motorist in the areas where work is being performed may see steam rising from sanitary sewer manholes and may notice an odor associated with the steam. In addition, home owners, tenants, and businesses may notice steam and/or an odor through basement or floor drains. To prevent this, homeowners, tenants, and businesses should make sure floor drains have water in the "p-trap". Simply pouring a a few gallons or so of water into the basement or floor drain will most likely ensure the steam and/or odor does not enter a home or business.

The steam and odor are non-toxic and will not cause any ill effects to humans or pets.

Visu-sewer has produced a video which demonstrates the process of lining sanitary sewer pipes and it can be viewed by clicking this link - http://www.visu-sewer.com/movies/national-liner_demo.mov