The Pipeline Vol. 1, No. 2

Recently, the Wastewater Management Division (WMD) completed the Aerial Creek Crossing Inspection Plan as an implementation of a Consent Decree requirement. This plan is designed to allow WMD staff to visually inspect and evaluate wastewater pipelines that cross water bodies (aerial crossing pipelines) and stream bank encroachment areas which have a higher likelihood of a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). There are a significant number of sewer pipelines that convey wastewater over or adjacent to a water body throughout Columbia Water’s service area.  Due to their proximity to or intersection with a water body, each of these locations has potential to impact the environment in the event of a collapse. Recommendations for short and long-term improvements are included in the plan. And, in the future WMD staff will use Cityworks® technology, Columbia Water’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), to plan and schedule aerial creek crossing and stream bank encroachment inspections on a two-year basis. In the event of a major flood or rain event, WMD will visually inspect these locations and report them using Cityworks® technology.