Sewer Collection
The Town of North Attleborough's Sanitary Sewer Collection System consists of approximately 57 miles of sewer pipes, manholes, and appurtenances, which flow down to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. A team of four personnel maintains the collection system.
The collection system's first pipes were installed in 1910. The system currently is comprised of six different types of pipe with varying sizes and service life. The service life of sewer pipes is determined by the pipe's structural integrity, materials and the connections that join them. The pipe material used in North Attleboro and its anticipated service life are as follows:
| Type of Materials | Pipe Distance | Service Pipe |
|---|---|---|
| PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride | 21.65 miles | 100 Years |
| VC - Vitrified Clay | 23.36 miles | 50 Years |
| AC - Asbestos Concrete | 5.58 miles | 60 Years |
| CICL - Ductile Iron Cement Lined | 2.63 miles | 75 Years |
| RCP - Reinforced Concrete Pipe | 3.17 miles | 80 Years |
| FM - Forced Main | .27 miles | 100 Years |
Total 56.66 Miles
Collection System Operation & Maintenance
Although most people associate proper operation and maintenance (O&M) with wastewater pump stations, other components of the wastewater collection system also require continuous O&M. Comprehensive O&M is necessary to ensure that the collection system reliably transports wastewater from individual users to the treatment facility. A successful O&M program for a wastewater collection system provides many benefits including:
- Elimination of backups/overflows and associated public health hazards
- Utilization of the full hydraulic capacity of the system
- Extended service life and protection of capital investment in the collection system
- Reduced operating and capital costs
- Safer work environment resulting in fewer accidents and compensation claims
- Minimized damage to public/private property associated claims and liability
Visual Inspection & Cleaning
Visual inspection and cleaning of the collection system is performed on a routine basis, not just in response to complaints or blockages. In an effort to ensure that all of the lines are routinely cleaned within a reasonable period of time, the Division's goal is to clean the entire system every five to ten years.
Manhole Inspection
Every manhole that is opened and used for routine cleaning is inspected. Following this general rule will ensure that all manholes within the system are inspected every five to ten years.
TV Inspection
The internal inspection of the collection system is done via close circuit television. This is accomplished by using a sewer "camera truck". TV inspection provides a continuous view of lengths of pipe up to 1,000 feet that are otherwise inaccessible. This method provides for identification of sources of infiltration, inflow, root intrusion, structural defects, and poor joint condition.
Siphons
Siphons are inspected and maintained on a regular basis to ensure proper operation. The town has two siphons, which are located on Mt. Hope street and North Avenue. In general, siphons are inspected once a week to ensure that they are functioning properly. The key to maintaining a siphon is to maintain the sewer lines in the tributary area. By ensuring that debris is regularly removed from all of the sewer lines that flow into the siphon, accumulation of debris within the siphon can be minimized.