A department of Johnson County, KS

Project Background and Objectives

Johnson County Wastewater (JCW) is working to reduce or eliminate excess storm water and groundwater from entering the sanitary sewer system in pilot areas of the Turkey Creek and Mission Main Service Areas. As part of that effort, JCW is conducting a pilot project that will provide more dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally sound wastewater service to our customers. During wet weather, this excess storm water and groundwater (referred to as infiltration and inflow or I/I) can contribute to basement flooding and sewer backups.

Initiated in 2009, the initial project phase was to obtain an understanding of the condition of the sanitary sewer system and estimate the amount of I/I present in the system. The testing and investigation activities (on private and public-owned properties) have been completed within the project area and the I/I sources have been identified. Additional information regarding this initial study phase is available at www.jcw.org/i&istudy2009.htm. We are continuing our efforts along with our team of engineers, inspectors, and surveyors to initiate the design of the rehabilitation and repair of the sewer system to remove the identified I/I sources.

This project was initiated as part of a regulatory response to a request from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The purpose of the project is to evaluate and determine a cost-effective strategy for removing I/I to reduce sewer overflows, basement flooding, and sewer backups. I/I can enter into the sewer system through cracked or broken pipes, root penetrations, and other deficiencies within the system. As a result, construction activities on this project will include rehabilitation and repair of existing sanitary sewer mains and private service lines to reduce or eliminate the I/I from entering the system. The sanitary sewer system will be repaired using numerous construction technologies, including excavation and trenchless (no dig) technologies.