Clean Pipes and Manholes.

Removes debris and permits the condition of the pipe to be more effectively evaluated during the TV inspection of the pipe. Water is injected under very high pressure. High pressure nozzle shown in photograph.

DMR works closely with local staff to ensure only authorized fire hydrants are accessed and that debris is disposed of correctly.

Pipe TV Inspection

After cleaning the system is inspected by TV cameras mounted on a variety of self propelled tractors.
When we are retained to locate water infiltration it is ALWAYS performed during high flow periods to ensure the problem is located. TV inspections during low flow periods are not effective at locating water infiltration.

Public Meetings

When potential solutions impact on local homeowners (for example when proposing lateral rehabilitation) DMR often sponsors public meetings to solicit input and outline the problem to homeowners.

Public meetings have proved helpful in identifying private storm sewer cross connections and provided insight into "local" issues. This approach is often ignored by others or deemed not of significant value. We disagree.

Private House Lateral Inspections

House laterals are often a significant part of the inflow and infiltration problem in sewer systems. We inspect laterals from the road - the advantage is that we can inspect more laterals and the system does not require howowner involvement.

Using a locator the lateral faults are identified using a surface locator that provides the depth of the fault. Swing ties are often used to permanently document the location of the problem.

Click on the map or here for a larger example

Infrastructure Mapping For Problem Identification

DMR takes existing mapping and digitizes it. All previous TV inspection reports and local knowledge are then transferred onto the mapping. Lateral locations, property lines, home locations, sewer and MH deficiencies are all mapped and this information is used to develop a staged approach to system rehabilitation. (click on the map for a larger example)

This approach has saved tens of thousands in uncessesary redundant work and helps develop a staged approach to solving your infiltration problem.

Smoke Testing

A safe and non toxic smoke is introduced under pressure into the sewer system to locate storm water cross connections into the sanitary sewer (Illustration shows smoke exiting from storm catch basin).

Particularly useful in "downtown" areas. DMR often stations staff in the tallest buildings with binoculars to locate emissions from the flat roof tops. Something others often don't do. DMR has found significant storm cross connections even after others have been in and given a green light.

Dye Testing

A safe and non toxic dye is used to trace water back into the storm or sanitary sewers. DMR often floods the flat top roofs and introduces a dye to determine if they drain to the sanitary sewers. We have found many cross connections this way even after smoke testing. Smoke testing doesn't always reveal cross connections because of water traps in the internal plumbing.

A single flat top roof can cause significant peak flows leading to untreated sewage discharge.

Man Hole Inspections

MH inspections are cost effectively performed to locate structural, and infiltration related problems. We often go one step further and install piezometers to monitor and document water levels or a long period of time. (Illustration shows ground water level being measured). Note water level is currently below the joint in the manhole. When the water level rises 4 inches this manhole will leak.

House to House Surveys

House to house surveys are useful method of locating sump pumps connected to the sanitary sewer system. Removing sump pumps from the sewers is often difficult to accomplish on a practical level. One reason we sponsor Public Open Houses is to inform residents of the problem and solicit input from the homeowners as to the best method of removing the sump pumps.

Night Rainfall Event Surveys

When engaged in water infiltration reduction projects, DMR often performs rainfall surveys of the system. Particularly effective when performed at night.

DMR spot checks MH's for areas with high flow and performs "rapid fire" TV inspections to locate the source of the water. This requires extra effort and is a benefit of using DMR.