Inflow/Infiltration Correction Plan
Inflow/Infiltration Correction Plan
The older reaches of the Sanibel Sewer System are contributing groundwater and surface water to the wastewater flows that are conveyed to the Donax plant for treatment. This additional flow robs wastewater treatment capacity from the plants. The City will commence an inflow and infiltration correction program, which will ultimately strive to remove the majority of these extraneous flows.
Why is Infiltration and Inflow a Problem?
Once it enters the sanitary sewer system, infiltration and inflow must be moved and treated in the same manner as sewage. When too much excess water enters our sewers as infiltration or inflow, the following problems may occur:
Sewage may back up into residents’ homes, creating a health hazard and an expensive cleanup of their properties.
Sewage may overflow from manholes or bypass treatment facilities, contaminating surface waters.
Sewer systems will require upgrades sooner than designed, resulting in increased utility bills to residents.
Infiltration and inflow will use up existing hydraulic capacity in our sewers, which will restrict the opportunity for growth.
Excessive water in our sewers will decrease the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants and will result in higher operating costs of these plants, as well as increased utility bills to residents.