Gutter Talk

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA

BOA meeting 2-3

Actually to be precise, sewer talk. City Engineer Jim Challis presented the results of the sewer study, commissioned by then Mayor York, of the gravity sewer system in the City. (The city has a pressurized system and a gravity system, the gravity being mainly in the north part of the city, and yes Virginia it does flow downhill.) It really was an excellent presentation, very thorough with tables and photos of various problems in the system. Intrusions and infiltrations. A grading system was used to categorize manholes and sewer lines. We have a variety of problems, some more serious than others. We have a combination of iron, clay and pvc sewer lines, and issues were noted with all three. Challis estimate to repair noted deficiencies...$300,000. (You might note in our Obama Wish List we requested $400,000.) Lots of money. If Obama doesn't come through the City will have to come up with the dough. There was no discussion at the BOA of sewer increases, apparently a public hearing is in the offing.

Part of the solution might be a method of lining the current lines with a resin system by a company called Insituform. Brian Mc Crary of Insituform gave a presentation on a method which can save 30%f or more the cost of traditional dig it up and replace. A number of cities in the area have used the technology, Jerry and the BOA are going to investigate further. Mr McCrary made the comment WL was "way ahead of most cities" (thank you Mr York) by having a completed sewer survey. He alluded to the problems that lie ahead for KCMO, to the tune of $2.5 billion or more. One of the things both men pointed out, infiltration of ground water into the sewer system is bad and although we do not have a pervasive problem, it does exist as documented by some of the video footage. One item not discussed but very evident, there is intrusion of roots that come from the laterals that lead to homes. The remedy will be on your nickel for issues between the main and your home. Can you say expensive?

Also not discussed but looming is the issue of groundwater/stormwater regarding our entire system. Sooner or later we will be required to prove our system has no problems with infiltration, this is one of the reasons KCMO's system is teetering at present and why the fix is in the billions.