Wastewater collection systems across the country are aging and steadily failing. As we prepare for the future we must put massive consideration into the infrastructure below our feet. The nature of our out of sight sewers puts us at a disadvantage when attempting to sustain and improve the quality of the collection system. We simply cannot see issues as they happen and develop a solution on the spot. It takes advanced processes and the implementation of state-of-the-art technology to effectively and efficiently maintain and sustain our sewer system. Knowledge of the intricate system is also critical to understanding the necessary improvements for the future.

We have spent years studying the important variables that go into the sustaining our wastewater collection systems. Our thorough understanding of how these systems work, the shortcomings of the system, the necessary work that needs to be done, and modern improvement and rehabilitation techniques offers municipalities and homeowners value in solving their issues.

The wastewater collection system is half on public property and half on private property. This separation of ownership has historically left only half the system accessible for maintenance and upgrades through municipal departments and funding. This is simply not enough to prevent the collection system from vulnerabilities of a changing world.  Climate change, sea rise, and groundwater rise will ultimately impact our ability to use water in our homes and rely on it leaving the drains. We must educate and inform homeowners and property owners of their part of the collection system and their obligations to maintain and repair.

We have aligned ourselves with various environmental groups as well as sustainability agencies to provide homeowners with relatable information regarding their responsibilities and duty in wastewater infrastructure sustainability to have a positive impact moving forward. Our community engagement initiatives provide homeowners with the knowledge and resources they need to identify issues with their sewer lines and how they can fix them.

The science surrounding the impact untreated wastewater has on the environment is well documented. Issues such as algal blooms, nitrogen pollution, red tides, e coli contamination, and deteriorating sea life populations have begun to plague our environment and it is just the beginning. All you have to do is look at our Great South Bay. Less than 50 years ago half of all clams eaten in the United States came from the Great South Bay. It was a booming industry that truly shaped many of our south shore communities. Today the unfortunate reality is that these waters can no longer sustain the type of ecosystem conducive for thriving sea life populations.   Our aging wastewater infrastructure will continue to decay and accelerate these issues. The scientific community is doing their part to identify the environment impact our sewer system is having but it is our obligation to take responsibility of our sewer lines and stop contributing to the problem.

Sewer laterals are required to be free of roots and grease deposits, watertight with no structural defects such as cracks, breaks, openings, and holes; free flowing with no root intrusion backups, and without illegal connections such as sump pumps. These requirements are in many state and local ordinances and are required to be complied with so that wastewater treatment plants operate properly. When sewer laterals are in poor condition, rainwater and groundwater enters the sewer system, overwhelming the treatment capacity of treatment plants and causing overflows of raw sewage that contaminates streets, parks, and local waterways.