What is Inflow and Infiltration?

Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) are terms used to describe the ways that groundwater and stormwater enter a sanitary sewer system.

• Inflow is storm and surface water that enters the sewer system at points of direct connection. These include footing/foundation drains, roof drains/leaders, downspouts, drains from window wells, outdoor basement stairwells, drains from driveways and groundwater/basement sump pumps. Ideally, inflow water should enter the stormwater system or be absorbed into the ground.
• Infiltration is rain and ground water that enters into the sewer system through cracks in sewer pipes, joints or manholes. These leaks may be caused by age-related deterioration, loose joints, poor design, root damage or maintenance issues. Sewer pipes are designed to last about 20-50 years. Often, sewer system pipes go much longer without maintenance and are likely to be damaged.

Flow Monitoring

Flow Monitoring equipment is used to determine if there is excessive I&I. Many types of flow monitoring instruments are available and pricing varies. To measure wastewater flows throughout the sewer system, it is important to select the appropriate Flow Meter.

A probe measures water velocity and depth. Long-term flow calculations can be made using simple water level recorders. More sophisticated flow meters can output, display and record flow information directly, but they represent a larger investment.

Benefits of Low Infiltration & Inflow 

• Efficient operation of wastewater treatment facilities
• Lower overall capital and operation costs
• Fewer/smaller expansions of hydraulically-sized system components (i.e. sewer lines, pumping stations, etc.)
• Decrease in the energy required to operate pumps
• Increased Compliance/Elimination of Violations with EPA requirements

Read more…

Industry flow meter, flow monitoring, infilitration, inflow, Level Sensing, probe, sewer system

How old is America’s wastewater infrastructure?

Much of the country’s infrastructure was built in the 30 years after World War II. Although age is a key indicator of a system’s health, equally important is the way the system has been maintained. A well-maintained system can operate effectively for a significant period of time.

All products have a life cycle – the clothes you wear, the desk you’re working on, the chair you’re sitting in – everything. The same is true for the nation’s infrastructure, and each of its components:

Components & Life Cycles

Collections: 80-100 Years

Treatment Plants (Concrete Structure): 50 Years

Treatment Plant Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: 15-20 Years

Force Mains: 25 Years

Pump Stations (Concrete Structure): 50 Years

Pump Stations (Mechanical/Electrical Equipment): 15 Years

Interceptors: 90-100 Years

What is the state of the Union?

Among the many challenges facing our water and wastewater systems are:

• Large Capital Investment
• Aging Workforce
• Lack of New Skilled Workers Entering the Marketplace
• Increased Regulation
• Disengaged Public
• Interdependence on the Energy Sector

Estimates of national investment needs range from $300 Billion to $2 Trillion over the next 20 years.

Today’s population is benefiting from the investments made by past generations. Looking forward, the EPA is promoting practices that encourage utilities to address existing needs so that future generations will not be left to rebuild a crumbling infrastructure. This is referred to as “Sustainable Infrastructure”.

The Four Pillars of Sustainable Infrastructure are better management, efficient water use, full-cost pricing of water and a watershed approach to protection. The EPA believes this will help utilities to operate more sustainably now and in the future.

MultiTrode Can Help!

Our technologically advanced products have been developed with system efficiency and easy interface in mind. With the push of a button, our smart pump controllers will help you:

• Promote effective utility management
• Minimize operations cost
• Facilitate effective asset management
• Improve maintenance and capital investment planning
• Reduce energy cost & CO2 emissions
• Increase system-wide efficiency

Learn more about the innovative Level Sensing Probe and intuitive MultiSmart Pump Station Manager. Read more…

Industry efficiency, environmental, Level Sensing, MultiSmart, probe, Pump Controller

Combined Sewer System (CSS)  A CSS is a sewer system that transports both sanitary wastewater and stormwater.

In dry weather, all flow goes to a wastewater treatment plant. In wet weather, capacity may be exceeded. Unfortunately, most CSSs are designed to discharge excess flow directly to surface water such as rivers, streams, estuaries and coastal water.

Sanitary Sewer System (SSS)  A SSS is sewer system that conveys domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater to a treatment plant, with limited amounts of infiltrated groundwater and stormwater.

SSSs are not designed to collect large amounts of stormwater runoff from weather events. Areas served by SSSs have a separate storm water system to collect and convey runoff from rainfall and snowmelts.

Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) CSO is Overflow from a Combined Sewer System.

Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) SSC is Overflow from a Sanitary Sewer System.

What’s the Big Deal with CSOs and SSOs?
Both CSOs and SSOs contain untreated or partially treated water. Whether they are caused by a limited capacity, line breaks, blockages or lapses in maintenance, overflows release microbial pathogens, pollutants and toxins to surface waters – all of which negatively impact the environment and human health.

What Has Been Done?
CSOs are a nationwide problem. In 1994, the federal government developed the CSO Control Policy which suggests that States:

• Implement a tracking method, preferably the permit program created by the federal Clean Water Act
• Develop Long-Term Control Plans (LTCPs)
• Communities implement CSO controls as soon as possible

What Technology is Available?
Readily available options range from large-scale capital improvement projects to improved maintenance practices. A community’s action plan would be influenced by the size and type of system, the problems they are experiencing, their performance goals and available resources.

In the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2004 “Report to Congress on the Impacts and Control of CSOs and SSOs”, the EPA categorized technologies used to address CSOs and SSOs into 5 categories:

1. Operation and Maintenance Practices
2. Collection System Controls
3. Storage Facilities
4. Treatment Technologies
5. Low-Impact Development Techniques

MultiTrode Can Help
MultiTrode takes pride in designing, manufacturing and marketing pump station management systems that improve the integrity of the nation’s wastewater infrastructure and protect both the environment and public health. We offer a wide range of products including complete control panels, pump station controllers, pump station supervisors, RTUs, liquid level sensors, liquid level relays, SCADA software and web-based monitoring and control solutions.

MultiTrode utilizes technological advancements to provide sophisticated solutions to every day challenges. Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) ranks among the more noteworthy of these tools. SCADA can be used as a safeguard against overflows and to gain centralized electronic control. Utilized as a broader management tool, SCADA can reduce staff overtime, help in preventive maintenance scheduling and enhance the operational cost efficiencies of a utility. Read more…

Industry Clean Water Act, Combined Sewer Overflow, Combined Sewer System, CSO, CSS, liquid level sensors, Pump Station Management, Sanitary Sewer Overflow, Sanitary Sewer System, sewer, sewer system, SSS, stormwater, water

We believe MultiTrode’s Engineers are the Best! When others echo our sentiments, we can’t help but shout it from the roof top!

MultiTrode had the opportunity to work with the Town of Greenwich, CT, on a telemetry upgrade to their sanitary sewer collection system pump stations, a project that required extraordinary preliminary planning.

Recently, the Town of Greenwich’s Wastewater Division Manager, Richard Feminella, took time out of his busy day to write Aaron Parkinson, President of MultiTrode, to share his praises of both MultiTrode and our Engineering Services Manager, Nick Claudio.

About MultiTrode, Mr. Feminella wrote that Greenwich has “been extremely satisfied with the MultiTrode system and installation.” 

As an organization, our longstanding goal is to be the very best we can be – to meet every challenge head on, to solve every issue to the utmost of our ability, overcoming the foreseeable and unforeseeable, to ensure each and every MultiTrode customer walks away satisfied.

Mr. Feminella goes on to write that “Nick was responsive, courteous, polite, knowledgeable and performed each and every task correctly and without any delay”.

We couldn’t agree more!  Nick is that rare combination of knowledge, professionalism and readiness that makes every project easier, and every client happier. 

 Thank you, Mr. Feminella, for your kind words.
& Thank you, Nick, for yet another job well done! Read more…

General News efficiency, greenwich, Pump Station Management, sanitary sewer collection, telemetry

There is nothing more refreshing than a cool tall glass of water on a hot summer’s day. This is such a small thing; it’s easy to take it for granted. After all, who doesn’t have clean water? If you ask UNICEF, the answer is – 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe water. Below is a list of charities that aim to lower that number. Together we can make a difference.

Water for People

“Water For People assists people in developing countries to improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and hygiene education programs.” www.waterforpeople.org

 Water Aid

“WaterAid enables the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water and sanitation. Together with improved hygiene, these basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods, forming the first essential step in overcoming poverty. We work with local partners, who understand local issues, and provide them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs.” www.wateraid.org

 Water 1^st

“Water 1st’s mission is to serve families in the poorest communities in the world as they implement community-managed projects that integrate water supply, sanitation, and health education. We envision a world free of extreme poverty. Providing people with safe water systems, latrines, and hygiene education is the 1st step to ending the cycle of poverty and death.”  water1st.org

El Porvenir

“El Porvenir supports self–help, community–initiated water, sanitation and reforestation projects. Mission: To improve the standard of living of poor people in Nicaragua through sustainable self-help water, sanitation and reforestation projects.” www.elporvenir.org

Charity Water

“Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. That’s one in eight of us. Charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.” www.charitywater.org

Water.org

Water.org is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Our goals are to draw attention to the world’s number one health problem, unsafe and inadequate water supplies, and to raise funds to help fight this immense problem – one community at a time.” www.water.org

WaterLife

“WaterLife is a non-profit organization that exists to implement and support community-based, community-owned water and sanitation programs that offer dignity and opportunity to disadvantaged people worldwide.” www.waterlife.org

Water Charity

“The mission of Water Charity is to implement practical solutions to provide safe water, effective sanitation, and meaningful health education to those in need.” www.WaterCharity.org

Play Pumps International

“The mission of PlayPumps International – U.S. (PPI) is to help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa.” http://blog.playpumps.org/home

 H2O Africa

“H2O Africa is the clean water initiative that is part of the “Running the Sahara” expedition and film project, now chronicled on a special DVD release. Co-founded by Matt Damon, H2O Africa is creating widespread public awareness of the water crisis in Africa and gathering support for clean water programs in critical areas, including communities along the Running the Sahara route.” www.h2oafrica.org Read more…

General News clean water, drinking water, pumps, wastewater, water, water charity

MultiTrode offers a 100% Mercury-Free Level Sensing Probe

Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system of humans and wildlife. Flow meters, generally used by the water and wastewater industries to measure the flow rate of liquids, contain up to 5 kg of elemental mercury.

The MultiTrode Probe is an unbeatable 100% mercury-free alternative to ball floats.

Several States have begun to ban the sale of mercury-containing products: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont & Washington

Act now to ensure your system is free of mercury.  Why wait?
States governments have pursued legislation focused on the reduction or elimination of mercury since 1999. It’s only a matter of time before you’re mandated by law, so you might as well be proactively leaner and greener.

MultiTrode’s Probe is the right tool to use –  Now is the right time to use it! Read more…

Mercury Ban ball floats, floats, lelvel sensing probe, level sensing devices, Mercury Ban

MultiTrode is headed to Orlando, Florida. We will be exhibiting at the FSAWWA Florida Section Fall Conference from November 29th through December 2nd. Please stop by booth #525 to visit with sales team members. 

There, you will have the opportunity to check out the latest versions of MultiSmart and the new SafeSmart Backup Controllers, Safe-FS and Safe-TL.

The featured Safe-FS,  SafeSmart’s failsafe level alarm relay, is the next generation of ultra-reliable high level alarming for lift and pump stations. While the Safe-TL, provides an independent backup control system for level device fails. Read more…

General News backup controllers, FSAWWA, lift station, MulitSmart, pump station