Wastewater Inspections

The wastewater system is the infrastructure most people never see. It’s imperative that it continues to provide reliable service because wastewater problems really stink.

After you wash dishes or flush toilets, the water that goes down the drain enters the sanitary sewer collection system and is pumped to the District's Wastewater Treatment Plant. The wastewater is then treated or cleaned before being released back into the environment.

Over time, as the wastewater infrastructure ages, water other than wastewater can also enter the collection system. This is called Inflow and Infiltration, better known as I&I in the water industry. I&I results in the unnecessary treatment of groundwater and stormwater. More importantly, it can cause sanitary sewer pipes to quickly fill up beyond their capacity and overflow, which is a violation of State and Federal regulations.

The most common cause of high I&I is heavy rainfall. Just one Texas sized downpour can cause sanitary sewer overflows or overwhelm wastewater treatment facilities. This can also increase costs to pump and treat the extra water at treatment plants because the rainwater is unnecessarily cleaned along with the wastewater.  

Sewer clean out pipe in a flower bed that's missing a cap and smoke is rising out of it.
Sewer clean out pipe that's missing a cap.
Sewer clean out in front of a home that's missing a cap and smoke is rising out of it.
Smoke testing quickly finds missing sewer clean out caps.
Smoke rising out of the grass with two marker flags identifying the area of a possible cracked sewer line.
Smoke rising out of the grass indicating a possible broken sewer line.
Two workers in safety vests are measuring dimensions of a manhole in the ground using a large ruler.
Dimensions are measured for each manhole during an inspection.
The image shows a self-propelled closed-circuit camera on wheels that's used to inspect pipes underground.
A white truck labeled "EAI Video Pipe Inspection" parked near a manhole, with two workers preparing inspection equipment.
Sewer clean out pipe in a flower bed that's missing a cap and smoke is rising out of it.
Sewer clean out in front of a home that's missing a cap and smoke is rising out of it.
Smoke rising out of the grass with two marker flags identifying the area of a possible cracked sewer line.
Two workers in safety vests are measuring dimensions of a manhole in the ground using a large ruler.
The image shows a self-propelled closed-circuit camera on wheels that's used to inspect pipes underground.
A white truck labeled "EAI Video Pipe Inspection" parked near a manhole, with two workers preparing inspection equipment.

Wastewater inspection is a critical component of our preventative maintenance program.

Every year the District evaluates the wastewater collection system in different parts of Trophy Club. This helps us find leaks in the wastewater system. This three-step inspection includes assessment of manholes, smoke testing to uncover structural deficiencies, and video inside wastewater mains.

 

Step 1: Manhole inspections

Visual inspections of manholes are the first line of defense in identifying potential problem areas or leaks. Each manhole is inspected to assess the condition of the frame and cover, structural integrity, incoming/outgoing pipe and grade adjustments.

 

Step 2: Smoke testing

Smoke testing is a quick way to visually locate leaks in the wastewater system. We use safe, non-toxic smoke that leaves no residue. The smoke should not enter your home unless defective plumbing exists or drain traps are dry. When we conduct smoke testing near your home or business, you will find a hang tag on your front door with more information on what to expect during testing.

 

Step 3: CCTV & wastewater main cleaning

CCTV inspections (self-propelled closed-circuit camera) are used for early detection of potential problems such as pipe defects or the presence of roots. This information is then used to plan and prioritize repairs.

 

Now What?

After crews evaluate a section of the wastewater system, the information is tabulated and a report is generated prioritizing areas that need rehabilitation or repair. The District then uses that information to proactively plan and budget for those repairs in the following fiscal year.

The phased evaluation began in 2021. In 2026, 55% of the wastewater system has been evaluated and repaired. In addition, improvements have been made to other wastewater system components such as lift stations and the wastewater treatment plant.

By investing early in the replacement of old infrastructure for your public water system, we are improving reliability and reducing the maintenance and operational costs far into the future.