The Metropolitan St Louis Sewer District (MSD) continues to oversee Project Clear, an ambitious program to build nine new tunnels to control wastewater overflows. The sewer system in St Louis is the fourth largest in the US, and the project, expected to be completed in 2039, also involves a comprehensive program of improvements, maintenance and repair. This will improve systems for both wastewater and stormwater. Aging sewer infrastructure is a problem both nationwide and in St Louis, and work on essential repairs and replacement pipes can be lengthy and disruptive. This project will take years to complete, but the upgrading, maintenance and repairs will result in significant and lasting improvements to the sewer system.
Inspecting And Repairing Existing Pipes
As well as constructing new tunnels to control overflow from the sewer system, MSD are also committed to a comprehensive schedule of inspections, repairs and maintenance. Pipes and pumps that move material through the system become worn over time, but regularly checking their condition and replacing irreparable pipework ensures the smooth running of the network. With a camera connected to a flexible cable, borescopes are used to easily identify blockages, cracks and worn pipes without having to excavate unnecessarily. The versatile design of a borescope for sale at SPI means that it can be customized with interchangeable probes to meet a variety of inspection needs and reduce the amount of repair downtime. This is important in a large undertaking like Project Clear, where it is easy for work schedules to overrun and cause disruption to local residents and businesses.
Funding For Emergency Sewer Repairs
Carrying out repairs and maintenance on sewers and other infrastructure can be expensive, not just for councils, but also for residents in St Louis. Although a small fee on property taxes is paid to cover the maintenance of sewer lines running under the public right of way, there are limited funds available for major repairs. To help cover the cost of repairing underground pipes, homeowners in University City are being offered the opportunity to buy an extra warranty plan. This would include cover for a full camera inspection of sewer pipes and the expenses for any necessary repairs by a qualified plumber.
Aging sewer infrastructure is a problem throughout the US. To tackle the problem in St Louis, an ambitious long-term project is constructing new tunnels for sewer overflows, while access to funding could help local residents cover unexpected bills for underground emergency repairs.