An effective operations and maintenance management system for a sewerage collection network

Abstract

In recent years, European and State regulations and mandates to reduce sanitary sewer overflows have resulted in requiring better maintenance and operating practices for wastewater utilities. A Framework for a dynamic management approach for collection systems is inevitable; this is better known as Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance Program. A basic level of service definition for most collection systems will be to deliver reliable sewer collection services at a minimum cost, consistent with applicable environmental and health regulations. A systematic operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation progress is an essential element in the management of a wastewater collection system. Effective inspection, cleaning, and rehabilitation are key processes for optimizing the proper functioning of a collection system. Wastewater collection systems are dynamic, non static. There is no single maintenance method, equipment, or technique that works best. Be always alert, trying new techniques and updating oneself to new technologies help sewer system operators. No two collection systems are alike. Maintenance staffing, skill levels, equipment, budgets age and complexity of the system make each agency unique. However, collection systems do have many traits and problems in common. Based on inventory and analysis, problems are identified. Defects may then be prioritized, and corrective maintenance techniques can be applied to all collection systems. Preventive maintenance is cost-effective; it strives to prevent problems from occurring rather than reacting to difficult situations and "putting out fires". This dissertation examines the most common problems such as costs, grease, deterioration, hydraulic inefficiencies and structural defects; how to find solution for old aged systems; doing T.V. inspections, video interpretations, rehabilitation analysis and trench less technologies; discussions about computerized maintenance management and GIS software; other discussions include Wastewater Collection system equipment operations and maintenance, and also "tricks of the trade". Maintenance is a complex process that is triggered by equipment failure or planned repair. The process requires planning, scheduling, control and the deployment of maintenance recourses to perform necessary maintenance activities. In real-life applications maintenance managers often face complicated decision problems under uncertainty. The goal of an effective operations and maintenance management system for sewer collection systems is to keep the system well operating, this result in an efficient functioning throughout the design life of the system. Lack of good maintenance can result in serious health hazards to the public. O&M management system succeeds when it is kept in a good condition with a never stopping pattern. Problems must be minimized from the very beginning that is from the design of the system. A wastewater collection system must be properly-designed and every detail that concerns is taken into consideration. A systematic and proactive approach for the assessment and evaluation of sewerage collection systems is needed, so maintenance and renewal programs can deal with system problems before they become failures. A sewer collection system is designed to serve for a specific useful life. A good operation and maintenance program will maximize the benefit throughout its designed useful life. When requesting for a new sewer system whatever terrain is, the first proposal designs must be for a gravity systems. A pumping system must be the last option and where a gravity system is not possible to be constructed. Nearly all of the sanitary sewer systems employ the concept of gravity flow. Gravity flow offers the advantage of low maintenance, low operating cost, and limited need for highly skilled personnel. The main disadvantage of gravity flow sewers is relatively high in the construction phase, a high cost is due to deep trench excavation, care in maintaining uniform slopes and the construction of manholes wherever there is a change in direction of flow or at pipe intersections. Usually, sewer designs are governed by design standards. [...]