Heart Attack of a City

Much like hardening of the arteries, fats, oils, and grease (FOG) entering the sewer system build up on pipe walls and cause blockages. The City of San Diego has an aggressive program to combat FOG in the sewers. But like arteriosclerosis there is only so much it can do—beyond that it is up to patients to change their ways. The Pipeline Assessment and GIS Groups of RBF Consulting teamed with the City of San Diego to produce a map that informs the public how its actions affect the sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Just as doctors use cameras to see and diagnose plaque buildup in human arteries, closed circuit television provides a similar look into the city’s sewer system. Crews equipped with robotic cameras televise the inside of the pipes, and video sent back is used to determine the levels of FOG, roots, and other potential problems in the sewers that can be addressed before causing a sewer spill.

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