Frequently Asked Questions

Water main installation includes excavating trenches to engineered depths, laying pressurized pipe, installing gate valves and meter pits, and adjusting gas gauge and valve boxes during utility construction. Crews coordinate with utility locates and follow engineered plans to ensure proper alignment and pressure ratings. Installation includes backfill compaction, roadway restoration, and final inspections to meet municipal specifications.

Sewer inverts are the curved bottom channels inside manholes that guide wastewater flow between pipes. Properly graded inverts prevent standing water, reduce sediment buildup, and maintain flow velocity through the system. Reconstructing deteriorated inverts eliminates low spots where debris accumulates and extends time between maintenance cleanings.

Catch basins are needed where roadway flooding occurs, new pavement changes drainage patterns, or existing inlets can't handle stormwater volume during heavy rain. Construction includes excavating to proper depth, setting precast or poured concrete structures, connecting storm pipe, and grading surrounding pavement to direct runoff into the basin. Systems are sized based on drainage area and expected rainfall intensity.

Chimney seals close the gap between manhole walls and the surrounding soil to stop groundwater from entering sanitary sewer systems. Inflow and infiltration from groundwater increases treatment plant loads and can cause sewer backups during wet weather. Sealing manholes reduces the volume of clean water entering the system, lowering treatment costs and preventing capacity issues.

Shoring uses hydraulic or mechanical supports installed against trench walls to prevent soil collapse during excavation. Shielding places protective boxes around workers inside the trench, while sloping cuts walls at safe angles based on soil type. OSHA requires protective systems for trenches deeper than five feet to prevent cave-ins that cause most excavation fatalities.

Excavation depth, pipe diameter, soil conditions, and number of catch basins or structures determine project costs. Rock excavation, high groundwater requiring dewatering, and traffic control on active roads increase expenses. Retention systems and concrete stormwater structures add cost but reduce downstream flooding. Deeper installations and larger pipe networks require more material, labor, and equipment time.

Aging water services often leak or fail, and replacing them during roadway projects avoids cutting into new pavement later. Municipalities coordinate service upgrades when streets are already excavated for paving, sewer work, or utility improvements. Replacing services from main to building eliminates old galvanized or lead pipe and reduces future emergency repairs that disrupt traffic.

Adjustment raises or lowers manhole castings to match new pavement grades after roadway resurfacing or reconstruction. Crews remove existing frames, add or remove adjustment rings, reset castings to proper elevation, and seal joints to prevent water infiltration. Proper adjustment eliminates tripping hazards and prevents vehicle damage from sunken or raised manholes.

Gravity sewers slope downhill using grade to move wastewater without pumps, requiring precise invert elevations and alignment. Water mains operate under pressure, allowing horizontal or uphill installation but requiring pressure-rated pipe, thrust blocks at bends, and valve placement for shutoffs. Gravity systems depend on accurate grading during construction, while pressurized systems need leak-free joints and proper valve operation.

Projects start with utility locates through Dig Safe to mark existing gas, electric, water, sewer, and communication lines. Crews hand-dig or use vacuum excavation near marked utilities to expose exact locations before trenching. Coordination with utility providers and engineers adjusts installation depths or routes to avoid conflicts, and test pits confirm conditions before full excavation begins.

Hydrogen sulfide gas from wastewater converts to sulfuric acid inside manholes, corroding concrete and exposing rebar. Freeze-thaw cycles crack surfaces, allowing water infiltration that accelerates breakdown. Groundwater with high sulfate content attacks concrete chemically. Rehabilitation replaces damaged brick and concrete, seals cracks, and applies protective coatings to extend structure life and prevent collapses.

Grading directs surface water toward catch basins and inlets at calculated slopes that move runoff without erosion. Elevations are set to drain low spots, prevent ponding near buildings, and match existing drainage patterns. Accurate grading ensures water enters the storm system instead of pooling on pavement, reducing ice formation in winter and flood risk during heavy rain.