Sewer inspections play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of both municipal and residential sewer systems. Understanding how these inspections are conducted can help prevent costly damage and ensure public safety.

Sewer inspections are an essential part of maintaining sewer systems, whether for cities or homes. These inspections help identify potential issues before they escalate into major problems.

From experience, you know that a sewer issue can quickly turn into a serious emergency. Water or even raw sewage can flood areas where it shouldn’t be due to a broken pipe or other structural failure.

City sewer inspections help manage such emergencies by sending inspectors into large pipes and wastewater infrastructure to locate the source of the problem. In some cases, drones are used instead of humans to make the process safer and more efficient.

Drones like the Elios 3 can enter confined spaces and capture high-quality visual data, helping inspectors assess the condition of pipes without risking their safety.

This article explores the essentials of sewer and drainage inspections, covering the two main reasons for conducting them, differences between home and city inspections, common techniques used in urban settings, and how indoor drones are transforming the inspection process.

Two Reasons for Conducting Sewer Inspections

Sewer line inspectors often use visual data to evaluate the condition of pipes and wastewater infrastructure. There are two primary reasons for conducting these inspections:

1) To address sudden emergencies caused by damaged or blocked pipes.

2) As part of regular maintenance to prevent future issues.

Reason 1: To Fix Sudden Sewer Problems That Have Created an Emergency

This is one of the most common reasons for conducting a sewer inspection, whether in a home or a city’s system. In both cases, the signs of a problem may be obvious, but the exact cause remains unclear.

In a home, this might include water backing up in sinks or toilets. In a city, it could involve sewage spilling into rivers or streets. In either case, immediate inspection is necessary to find and fix the issue before it worsens.

Reason 2: To Identify Potential Issues Through Routine Maintenance

Sewer inspections can also be done proactively as part of a scheduled maintenance plan. As aging infrastructure becomes more prone to failure, cities around the world conduct regular checks to identify and address concerns early.

Watch this video to see how a routine sewer inspection is conducted using a drone:

Want to know how often cities conduct maintenance on their wastewater systems in the U.S.? Here's a breakdown from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE):

Home vs. City Sewer Inspections

Whether it's a home or a city sewer system, the goal of a sewer inspection is to gather visual data about the condition of the pipes. However, there are significant differences between the two types of inspections.

Home Sewer Inspections

A home sewer inspection typically involves using a camera attached to a snake-like device called a sewer scope. This is done for two main reasons: to address an emergency, like a backed-up drain, or to check for potential issues before they become serious.

The camera records everything it sees inside the pipe, allowing inspectors to spot cracks, roots, clogs, or collapsed sections of the pipe.

City Sewer Inspections

City sewer inspections are much larger and more complex. The pipes are often too big for a person to enter safely, so traditional methods involved physical entry with flashlights. Today, advanced technology allows for safer, more efficient inspections using tools like drones.

City Sewer Inspection Techniques

There are several key methods used in city sewer inspections:

• Visual inspections
• CCTV inspections
• Camera inspections
• Lamping inspections

Visual Inspections

Inspectors physically enter pipes to examine them using a flashlight. This method is still used in some cases, especially for smaller or less hazardous areas.

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Inspections

CCTV is commonly used for narrower pipes (4-48 inches in diameter), which are too small for human entry. A remotely controlled camera and lights are placed on a raft or sled and moved through the pipe for full coverage.

High-end CCTV systems offer features like automatic focus, manual zoom, and directional lighting to improve image quality.

Camera Inspections

Similar to CCTV inspections, camera inspections involve placing a camera on a sled or raft and moving it through the pipe to collect visual data.

Lamping Inspections

Lamping inspections involve lowering a camera into a manhole and positioning it at the junction between the pipe and the opening. This method is often used for low-priority pipes due to its lower quality of data.

Three Ways Indoor Drones Help with City Sewer Inspections

Indoor drones are changing the way sewer inspections are conducted, offering improved safety, cost savings, and faster response times.

Here are three key benefits of using drones like the Elios 3 in city sewer inspections:

1. Safety

Drones eliminate the need for inspectors to enter dangerous, confined spaces. For example, the Elios 3 is designed to operate in tight environments, keeping workers safe while still collecting valuable data.

2. Cost Savings

Using drones reduces the time and labor required for inspections, leading to significant cost savings. According to Péter Kövessi from Flind, drone inspections are twice as efficient as traditional methods and 40% cheaper per meter.

3. Better Data Collection

The Elios 3 creates real-time 3D models of sewer assets, improving accuracy and record-keeping. For the City of Lausanne, this has made it easier to track and monitor defects over time.

The Future of Sewer Inspections: Drones

Sewer inspections have long been challenging and risky work. With the advancement of drone technology and LiDAR scanning, these inspections are becoming safer, more efficient, and more accurate.

As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more drones and remote tools being used in sewer inspections. Learn more about the Elios 3, one of the most advanced sewer inspection drones available today, and discover how it's being used worldwide to improve infrastructure maintenance.

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