What is I&I?  Infiltration and Inflow is when clean storm and/or groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system through holes, breaks, joint failures, connection failures, or illegal connections (including sump pumps, down spouts/gutters, and footing drains).  I&I not only impacts LCWSA at the Wastewater Treatment plant, but also puts additional strain on the collection system and pump stations throughout the service area. Adding this additional water to the system impacts the costs associated with maintenance and treatment of the sanitary sewer system and the cost of providing sewer services.

LCWSA has been working to identify as many sources as possible of I&I within the system so these conditions can be corrected. Properly directing water to where it needs to go will have many benefits for everyone in the sewer district. Sending water back to the existing water bodies will help keep the Conesus Lake level higher during the recreational season. Sending stormwater into an underground storage area where it will eventually recharge the groundwater aquifers. Less clean water reaching the sanitary sewer treatment plant will reduce the unnecessary cost of treating clean water.

Private property I&I can contribute substantially to the problem. An 8-inch diameter sewer can adequately convey flow from roughly 200 homes. However, only 8 sump pumps operating at full capacity can overload the same 8-inch diameter sewer.

What are WE doing?

• Cleaning and Televising: LCWSA cleans and televises all sanitary sewer mains on a rotating schedule.  Through this investigation we have identified the locations to target sewer main repair and replacement projects in the future.
• Manhole Inspections & Repairs: LCWSA inspects manholes in the system every 5-7 years and our maintenance staff will repair and/or rebuild manholes annually.
• Smoke Testing: LCWSA received funding from the Wastewater Infrastructure Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) through the NYSEFC and the NYSDEC to complete smoke testing investigations throughout our sewer system which allowed us to complete the investigation for the majority of the Lakeville Sewer Collection System.  These projects helped us identify several minor deficiencies within the pipe network that have contributed to Inflow and Infiltration.  Most of these deficiencies were broken or missing cleanout caps on private property.
• Flow Monitoring Data: We continue to evaluate different zones within the system through our flow metering equipment to determine where more investigation may be needed.
• Private Lateral Inspections: We continue to inspect homes and businesses to identify additional connections that may contribute to additional inflow into the sewer system.  During our 2024 program we were able to identify 80 sump pump connections and have worked with those homeowners to disconnect the illegal connections that have been contributing to the unnecessary inflow of rain and groundwater into the sewer system.

Solution Ideas for Roof Drains and Sump Pumps