Preventing Sewer Inflow: A Core Water Resiliency Strategy

Preventing sanitary sewer overflows is a core component of water resiliency, the ability of a system to withstand stress, recover from disruption, and protect public health and natural waterways over time. One of the most direct and preventable sources of SSO risk is inflow through the cover and frame assembly. CAP’s watertight covers eliminate that pathway entirely.

This quick animation shows how floods, rising tides, and other accumulations can exceedthe sanitary sewer system’s capacities, resulting in sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). Then sewage backs up, and fecal matter, toxins, pathogens (etc.) enter our reservoirs, lakes, streams,and beaches. This harms our health, aquatic life, water sports, tourism, and even worse, potentially our drinking water. EPA consent decrees and fines follow. Watertight CAPs have real results, helping to eliminate this problem!

FULTON GA ELIMINATES SSOs with CAP™ – Video

From millions of gallons of sewer overflow to zero gallons!! Fulton County’s wastewater initiative, led by Roy Barnes, Deputy Dir. Public Works eliminated 100% of the sewer spillover into the Chattahoochee River. CAP’s President, Chad Nunnery, was acknowledged for CAP’s watertight cover contributing to this success (interview at 0:36 in video). Click “the Play” arrow to see the video.

River Flooding Overhead Photo (2019 – Prior to Project)

Like many rivers, the Chattahoochee can climb over the banks in heavy rainfalls.

Millions of gallons of Toxic Sewer Effluent Spillover Eliminated

Entering river water overwhelmed the sewers- sewage then overflowed. This is a leading cause of water pollution in the USA.

Fulton Announces Success, Acknowledging CAP’s Role

Roswell Mayor Lori Henry, Commissioner Liz Hausmann, Chad Nunnery, Roy Barnes, and County Manager Dick Anderson.

CAP’s President Speaks at Event

Chad Nunnery, President of CAP, tells how CAP allows 0.00 gallons into the sewer. CAP’s cover innovations are game-changing.

CAP’s Seal and Look Good!

One of the CAPs next to the Chattahoochee is credited for completely sealing the system. Also, Fulton’s attractive logo adorns this CAP.

The Bigger Picture

Eliminating toxic and pathogen-filled surcharge protects aquatic life and improves the health and enjoyment of residents. The Fulton County project is a documented example of water resiliency in action, a targeted infrastructure upgrade that eliminated a chronic SSO problem that had persisted for more than 35 years.

Cover Story Oct ’21 !!!

Roy Barnes and Fulton Team’s Amazing Accomplishment

“It was the first time in the history of the county that we reported no spills.”

Tested after a major rainfall

“Normally that would’ve resulted in a larger sewer spill. But we had zero spills.”

Link to MSW Article

Click to Read MSW Oct 2021 (pg 30-33)

Watertight Certified! CAP’s New, Gigantic, 36″ CO 0.00 GPM

Like our 24″ and 30″ clear opening (CO) assemblies, our most recent design demonstrated complete watertight properties submerged in 15″ overnight. We believe the only 36″ CO composite assembly with proven watertight results – And no accessory plates, extra dishes, or supplemental gaskets needed. Only our standard CAP offering with four bolts rather than 8 bolts and even 28 bolt smaller-sized competitive solutions in the market today.

Video: Submarine Hatches Don’t Leak…Why Manhole Covers?

“Infiltration and Inflow” (I&I) is the industry term used to describe storm water entrance into the sanitary sewer system. I&I increases treatment costs and can cause Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) when the volume exceeds the pump or plant capacities. State and Federal EPA departments penalize local municipalities with heavy fines for SSOs. Watertight CAP covers reduce I&I, preventing water from entering through the cover and frame. The video below shows CAP submerged in 16 inches of water.

Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) Test Result – Validated

CAP™ Watertight Result Validated by Major Municipality

A major Texas utility tested the CAP cover in its equipment. They reported 0.00 gallons per minute at 3 inches of head pressure above the cover, 0.00 at 6 inches, and 0.00 at 9 inches. They stated that this was “the best performance by any cover they tested…by far.” Note: the water flow sound in the video is water leaking through the tank frame, not through the cover and frame.

Video: Inflow Through Some Manhole Covers

Eric Dupre and the Louisiana Tech Trenchless Center performed this excellent simulation of water flow into a sanitary system with some traditional covers in streets today. They measured 45 gallons per minute, which would quickly overflow many current wastewater systems, back up, and cause a Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) spilling fecal matter, pathogens, and toxic chemicals into our streets, rivers, lakes, oceans, beaches, and potentially our drinking water. Watertight CAPs prevent inflow and SSOs.

I&I Reduction – Case Study

Baytown, TX Reports Pump Run Time Reduction

After installing CAP traffic-rated composite covers and frames at 46 targeted manholes, Baytown, TX, city officials reported dramatic reductions in pump run times at their lift stations, convincing them that the I&I in that section of town had been measurably reduced by using CAP covers…Just CAP That!

Rains, Floods, Tides – Enter Sanitary Sewer (I&I)

Inflow through traditional covers and frames can be blamed on many things: corrosion, poor fit, gaps, holes, no gasketing, pressure on seals, etc. CAP’s composite technology and design eliminate the inflow, even when submerged. Click the “Play” arrow for the video.

Compression Molded Composites Advantages- I&I Prevention