Why is I/I a problem?

Extra water in the sewer system is a problem because:

• It takes up capacity in the sewer pipes and ends up at the regional wastewater treatment plants where it must be treated like sewage, resulting in higher treatment costs.
• Requires new and larger wastewater facilities to convey and treat larger volumes of flow, resulting in higher capital expenditures.
• I/I flows contribute to sewer system overflows into local homes and the region's waterways, negatively impacting public health and the environment.

 
We estimate that inflow and infiltration makes up 75 percent of peak flows during winter, and much of this comes from private property.

Protecting the environment and decreasing wastewater treatment costs are the benefit of a regional I/I control program.

» Finding Infiltration and Inflow (I/I)