KC Water’s Smart Sewer program is a multi-decade infrastructure investment to make sure our sewer systems continue to work reliably and effectively. The program addresses the system-wide overflow control challenges facing our sewer system in a way that protects our community and restores this vital piece of our City’s infrastructure.
The Smart Sewer program uses strategic, data-driven solutions and innovative overflow control technologies to ensure the improvements and investments we make today will last for generations to come. In short, smart solutions capitalize on enhanced sewer system asset condition and performance data, and innovative technologies to minimize cost and maximize the benefits. Here’s how:
Repair when we can. Replace where we must. Build new only when necessary. The Smart Sewer program puts the priority on fixing the system we have whenever possible, and only replacing the parts of the system that have reached the end of their useful life and are beyond cost-effective repair, and building new sewer infrastructure only when it is a “must.” Decisions about when to repair or when to build new are made using a robust asset management system that evaluates the likelihood of a sewer failure and the potential impacts of that failure, so we can continue providing cost-effective service in a long-term, sustainable way.
Use technology to work efficiently and safely.
Today, water level sensors and flow meters are installed in hundreds of sewer manholes and pipes throughout the City, combined with a robust suite of sewer collection system modeling tools to monitor and assess system performance, predict sewer overflows under a wide variety of weather conditions, prioritize improvements, and reduce risk.
Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) is also used to inspect sewer pipes for signs of deterioration and to identify the severity of sewer pipe defects in need of repair. CCTV provides a close-up view of the inside of sewer pipes to observe defects such as pipe cracks, collapses, and joint breaks. These technologies enable us to determine the performance and condition of our sewer systems and support the prioritization of system improvements to prevent sewer overflows and disruptions in service.
Integrate green infrastructure to provide multiple community benefits. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater the way nature intended by capturing, infiltrating and in some cases utilizing rainwater where it falls before it enters the combined sewer system. Green infrastructure can take many forms, depending on its location, and can be as large as a community park or as small as a rain garden.
It is a long-term solution that looks beautiful above ground and works wonders below, decreases the amount of rainwater getting into our pipes, and reduces flooding, pollution, and trash in our local creeks, streams, and rivers.