WERF: The Latest on WERF Collection System Research

Saturday, October 18, 1:30 – 5:00 pm
0.5 day, 0.3 CEUs

Collections systems operations & maintenance (O&M) staff face several reoccurring problems.  This workshop presents the results of recently completed WERF studies that address several of these recalcitrant O&M issues such as: fats, oils and grease (FOG), root intrusion, and force main inspection guidance.

FOG or root accumulations in the sanitary sewer collection system result in reduced capacity which may lead to sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) if not periodically cleaned.  As the material builds up, the effect of slowed wastewater flow exacerbates the rate of accumulation and deposit formation.  To help pre-treatment specialists to prevent or reduce the occurrence of SSO's due to FOG deposits or root intrusion into the sewer collection system,  WERF researchers will present new information on:

• Chemical and physical makeup of FOG deposits in sewer collection systems.  Our research shows that FOG deposits are not what you may think they are.
• Optimal design, sizing, and O&M criteria for grease interceptors to help control problems with FOG in sewer collection systems. Our researchers have modeled several modifications and configurations and know what works and what does not.
• Different piping and root type materials which have different susceptibility to FOG blockages.
• Best root control strategies to reduce root intrusions in sewer collection systems.
• FOG, once removed from wastewater in grease interceptors, can be re-used to augment biogas generation by wastewater utilities with anaerobic digesters

The workshop will also present a rational and practical set of inspection guidelines for ferrous and non-ferrous force mains, which can be implemented by wastewater utilities in their condition assessment programs.  The presentation will review the failure modes in pressurized pipeline material and corresponding reasons, with related cost information, and ferrous and non-ferrous pressurized pipe investigation technologies.

The audience for this workshop includes utility managers, engineers, operators, local government officials and regulators, and technical/operations staff responsible for collection systems.

Chair/Co-chair
Lauren Fillmore and Roy Ramani, WERF

Speakers
Joel Ducoste, Ph.D., North Carolina State University
Kevin M. Keener, Ph.D., Purdue University
John W. Groninger, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University
David Parry, Ph.D., P.E., CDM
James C. Thompson, P.E., Jason Consultants, LLC

Keywords
collection systems; fats, oils, and grease; FOG; roots; force main; inspection techniques; pipe failure; condition assessment; pressurized lines