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Levels of Debris in Sewer Pipes

Low levels of debris are expected in sewer pipes, because surface runoff and waste liquids naturally collect solid material. High levels of debris, though, eventually lead to blockages and can render the entire system useless. Sewers are designed to collect debris in a way that it is easier to remove. Technicians use various methods to clear and prevent debris buildup.

  1. Where Debris Collects

    • Debris is naturally carried with surface water that runs down storm drains and into the sewer system. Examples include paper, trash, leaves, silt and other material commonly found in streets. Sewer drains have sump basins that act like pools below the level of the pipes. Liquid traveling through the pipes slows down at the basin; the solid material settles out and the liquid continues through the system. The basins must be cleaned regularly.

    Consequences of High Levels of Debris

    • High levels of debris entering the sewer system fill the basins quickly. If the sump basin fills with solid material, the debris will begin to accumulate in the sewer pipes. This will constrict the liquid flowing through the system and eventually block the pipes if they're left unattended for too long. Blockages not only increase the stress on the piping system, but can be difficult to clean. The whole sewer system eventually becomes ineffective.

    How Debris Is Removed

    • When cleaning sewer pipes with high levels of debris, technicians often flush the pipes with water at high pressure, forcing the debris into the sump basins. This is called jetting. From there, the debris is vacuumed into heavy-duty industrial trucks and transported to a biosecure dumping station. Clam-shell buckets attached to machinery are lowered into the sump basins to remove heavy debris.

    Preventing Debris Buildup

    • Sewer pipes that experience high levels of debris may be "rodded" to clear or prevent blockages. A rodding machine sends into the pipes cables that have a cutting head. The machine is motorized to push the cables through the sewer. The heads have spinning components that break through debris; they are often specialized for the type of debris expected to be encountered. Sometimes video surveillance equipment is sent into a sewer pipe to locate and identify the problem.

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