BCWSA Sanitary Sewer Project
Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority will be commencing an Inflow and Infiltration Removal construction project for maintenance and repair of the public sanitary sewer system in Wyndmoor this summer.
The project includes trenching and replacement of sanitary sewer mains, manholes and portions of service laterals (from the main in the street to the Right-of-Way) within portions of the following streets:
- Hull Drive
- E. Southampton Avenue
- Southampton Avenue
- Wyndmoor Drive
- E. Gravers Lane
- Elliston Drive
Affected property owners were provided notice of the project earlier this spring. The timing of work within each street is pending and additional details will follow once the construction schedule is determined for each street. The project will cause a temporary disruption to street parking and access to residential driveways during work hours. However, the contractor will be providing restoration for each portion of the work zones at the end of each workday to minimize the inconvenience.
What is Inflow and Infiltration?
Inflow and infiltration (I&I) refers to the entry of unwanted water into a sanitary sewer system. Inflow is the direct flow of stormwater, like rain or snowmelt, into the system through improper connections like roof drains, sump pumps, or storm drains that shouldn't be connected to the sewer. Infiltration, on the other hand, is groundwater that seeps into the sewer pipes through cracks, leaks, or faulty joints. I&I can overload the sanitary sewer system, especially during or after heavy rainfall events. This can lead to:
- Sewer overflows: When the sewer system can't handle the extra water, it can overflow into streets, yards, and even into homes and businesses.
- Increased treatment costs: Treatment plants are not designed to handle the large influx of clean water from I&I, and treating this water is unnecessary.
- System damage: The increased flow and pressure from I&I can damage the sewer system itself, leading to further leaks and damage.
As part of the current project, contractors working for BCWSA will be video recording the privately-owned sanitary sewer laterals located within the service area impacted by the on-going I&I project. As part of the connection to the new sanitary sewer main, BCWSA has arranged for their contractor to make repairs between the connection to the main and the edge of the public right of way. However, if the lateral is compromised between the edge of right of way and the dwelling that it services, the repair is the responsibility of the homeowner. All homeowners (especially those within the impacted neighborhoods) should consider sanitary sewer repair/replacement coverage available through their homeowner’s policy or other private insurance providers.
All homeowners (regardless of where their home is located) are encouraged to review their homeowner’s insurance policy to confirm that they have repair/replacement coverage for buried utility lines. If your homeowner’s insurance carrier does not offer this form of coverage, you should consider purchasing coverage through an alternate service plan or utility provider. Once a defect is identified, insurance coverage may not be available to complete the repair.
The project is important for the maintenance and function of BCWSA’s sanitary sewer infrastructure. For questions and concerns regarding this project, please contact BCWSA at 215-343-2538.
