The Bradford Sanitary Authority has embarked on a comprehensive plan to flush, clean and televise all mains associated with both sanitary and storm sewer mains.
Planning for this endeavor included the purchase of a new 2020 flush/vacuum truck. The truck was delivered in January from Golden Equipment and was just recently placed into service. The authority also chose to keep its existing 2004 flush/vacuum truck for the time being to allow a multi-crew approach to the comprehensive flushing and assessment plan. Two separate, two-person crews will be utilized, one crew and truck focused on sanitary mains and one crew/truck focused on storm mains.
Some of Bradford’s sanitary sewer mains date back to as early as the late 1880s. A total of approximately 45 miles of sanitary mains exist in the city, consisting of trunk lines ranging from 6-inch to 15-inch and then mains and interceptors from 24-inch up to 36-inch.
Most of Bradford’s stormwater infrastructure was installed in the 1930s. Today there are approximately 35 miles of stormwater pipes, ditches and inlets, and over 1,225 catch basins. From the authority’s daily work duties and interaction with the stormwater assets, portions of the system and certain assets appear to be nearing their life cycle expectancy.
The main objective of BSA’s stormwater management program is to provide a benefit to city residents and businesses through enhanced operation and maintenance of the stormwater infrastructure that controls pollution and reduces flooding.
It is also the goal of BSA to manage the stormwater in a way that minimizes the amount of stormwater that illegally or unintentionally enters the sanitary sewer system. Such stormwater can consume valuable treatment plant capacity, and increase the risk of effluent violations.
“After the mains are cleaned and flushed, they will be televised so the authority has a current and permanent video file of all mains. As this process is conducted it will also include a review of all BSA system assets and associated GIS data for both Sanitary and Storm, comparing it to the current conditions found,” Steve Disney, interim executive director, explained.
“Any revisions or discrepancies will be updated at that time,” he said. “Each system asset, whether it be main lines, inlets, catch basins, etc will receive a current conditional assessment by trained BSA employees. BSA assets that are found to be in need of attention will be ranked by criticality and then scheduled for repair or replacement.”
Disney also explained that the conditional assessment of the existing infrastructure is to ensure that it meets current and future needs. This assessment will greatly assist in formulating the BSA’s future capital planning. This data will also be used to explore possible grant opportunities for assistance in maintenance activities, replacements or repairs.
He went on to say, “The Sanitary Authority is looking forward to the opportunity to get this assessment completed so that we can understand exactly what we’re up against in terms of infrastructure; we’re excited to be able to provide a high level of service and sustainability to our customers and community and it starts with a proper evaluation of our assets. The storm system has been around for decades and the sanitary system for over a century; we want to get them in a condition that will ensure they continue to work and be viable for many decades into the future.”
The sanitary sewer portion of this assessment has begun in subsystem 1 in the areas of Stone Avenue, Interstate Parkway, Willard Avenue and Center Street to Campus Drive.
The stormwater portion of this assessment will start at the head of Main Street and move toward Jackson Avenue via Mechanic Street.
Due to the size and complexity of this project, it could take up to two years to complete. More will be known once the BSA crews complete some of the work.
