Penfield Sewer Department Manhole Sealing Project
The Penfield Sewer District is classified as a Collection and Transmission agency, relying on the Monroe County Pure Waters agency for Wastewater Treatment Service. Most every gallon of water which passes through your Water Meter is eventually collected and treated at one of two Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Unfortunately what is also collected and unwanted is groundwater!
Groundwater entering the sanitary sewer system via leaking pipes, manholes, service laterals, sump pump discharges results in diminished sewer capacity and dramatically increase everyone's Wastewater Treatment Charges.
Penfield and other communities are continually and aggressively looking for ways to reduce or eliminate groundwater infiltration into the sewer system, thus reducing Wastewater Treatment charges.
One recent example of the Penfield Sewer Department's progressive approach to this problem was to purchase the Seal Guard Manhole Sealing System. This relatively low cost system is being used by the Penfield Sewer Department to target and eliminate leaks within sanitary sewer manholes.
One moderate manhole leak can account for literally thousands of dollars in annual wastewater treatment costs. In one recent example, Sewer Department staff sealed a leaking structure with approximately $250 of material and 2 crew hours, stopping the leak and saving sewer rate payers an estimated $2,000 in annual in wastewater treatment costs. Even greater savings in the tens of thousands of dollars will be realized by sealing more significant leaks.
The Penfield Sewer Department has a list of leaking structures they will be sealing throughout the year. Progress updates will be reported to Penfield Supervisor LaFountain and Monroe County Pure Waters.
