An example of an inflow of water, especially concerning sanitary sewer systems, includes various sources that contribute water into the system.
An inflow of water refers to instances where water is added to a system, often unintentionally or through improper connections. In the context of sanitary sewer systems, this can overwhelm the system and cause issues. According to the provided reference, several examples exist:
- Inlets: These are designed to collect surface water and direct it into drainage systems.
- Roof drains: These channel rainwater from rooftops.
- Drains from driveways: These collect runoff from paved surfaces.
- Sump pumps from basements: These remove groundwater accumulation. These are particularly problematic if illegally connected, or diverted to an area that is connected to a sanitary sewer pipe.
Types of Inflow:
| Type | Description | Potential Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Illegally Connected Sump Pumps | Sump pumps discharging directly into the sanitary sewer system. | Overloads the system, especially during wet weather. |
| Roof Drains | Rainwater from roofs connected to the sanitary sewer. | Increases flow to treatment plants, potentially overwhelming them. |
| Driveway Drains | Runoff from driveways directed into the sanitary sewer. | Introduces pollutants into the system. |
| Inlets/Storm Drains | Surface water drainage directly entering sanitary sewers instead of storm sewers (cross connections). | Dilution of sewage and reduced treatment effectiveness. |
Infiltration is a related concept, but distinct. Infiltration is ground water that seeps into cracks and leaks in sanitary sewer pipes at some location underground. This is groundwater entering the system through damaged infrastructure, whereas inflow is surface water entering through direct connections.
