What is Vactor Cleaning?

Sewer Cleaning Application

Common to municipalities world wide is the need to maintain a clean and sanitary environment suitable for humans to live in. This responsibility includes providing a system for efficiently moving both wastewater (sewage) and stormwater. A wastewater collection system is typically a network of pipes, maintenance holes, cleanouts, traps, siphons, lift stations, and other required structures to collect all the wastewater from an area and transport it to an environmentally safe place such as a treatment plant or disposal system.

Where Is Your Sewer Line?

Sewer systems can be located above or underground, typically running parallel to streets, housing, commercial and residential structures. This series of pipes and culverts are engineered as gravity flow systems, built on a slight grade to assist material flow. Most sewers are designed to convey material at a velocity of 2 feet (61 cm) per second.

When velocity falls below this rate, solids will settle out of the flow to the bottom of the pipe, reduce flow capacity, and eventually cause a stoppage. If the velocity is designed to flow greater than 10 feet (300 cm) per second, solids could separate from the flow during low usage.

At high velocities, splashing occurs when the water changes directions, releases odors and accelerates concrete structures’ corrosion. Partial or complete interruption of the flow may result from an obstruction in a sewer.

When a stoppage occurs, the material will backup and eventually overflow the system up to the blockage point. The debris can damage streets, homes, and businesses. Human health is threatened with unsanitary conditions and the spread of germs and disease.

What Does Vactor Cleaning Do?