Data Collection - Merging old methods with new technology
Alan Johnson, P.E.
Project Manager, Associate
Wade & Associates, Inc.
Introduction
Underground utilities infrastructure is deteriorating. Utilities that are underground and out of
sight face increasing maintenance and repair problems. Waterline and gas line inspections, storm
sewer inspections, and Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Studies (SSES) are necessary and important
parts of maintaining and improving underground utilities. The nation's population is becoming
more environmentally conscious and environmental regulators have seen increased pressure to
implement tougher regulations and enforcement policies on utilities to prevent leakage and
contamination. Most regulatory agencies encourage and in some cases require cities to
implement SSES as a first step in reducing sanitary sewer overflows and bypasses. Potable water
systems are facing stringent regulations to maintain water purity. Utilities that deliver gas and
other petroleum products are interested in and required to protect their infrastructure to avoid
dangerous and costly breaks in pipelines. Communications providers are concerned about the
condition and protection of underground cables. In order to properly diagnose utility problems,
data must be collected on structure locations, material types, and the conditions of all
components.
Management of the large amount of data collected while inspecting the utility infrastructure
during field activities can become overwhelming and generally requires automated tracking
methods. Data collected may include review of manned entry structures, smoke and dyed-water
testing, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) inspections, flow monitoring, quality testing, and
building inspections. A review and audit of maintenance and repair records is also important for
evaluating overall system condition and for use as a basis for further field investigations.
Our goal is to identify the methods of data collection and storage that will give us the quickest
and most accurate access to the data and results of analyzing the data while protecting the
original source documents and preserving a coherent trail for review and audit.
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