Combined sewer systems: are they good or bad? Jet Blast cleans them!
Washington, D.C., and other areas have combined sewer systems as opposed to separate stormwater and sewage systems. These structures run beneath our roads and are generally unseen by us in everyday life, but sometimes, their presence can come to the surface. What are the pros and cons of combined sewer systems?
What Are Combined Sewer Systems?
Combined sewer systems combine wastewater and stormwater into one connected pipeline. Wastewater comes from individual buildings’ plumbing, flowing into the main sewer line. Stormwater comes from the stormwater drains that let rain, snow, etc., run off the road and other surfaces.
In a separate system, the main pipelines for each kind of wastewater do not overlap. The sewer line leads to a wastewater treatment plant, and the stormwater leads directly to the nearest natural body of water.
In a combined sewer system, the two types of pipelines combine into one main one. In normal circumstances, the combined wastewater will move toward a treatment plant. If there is a high surge of stormwater, the excess could flow partially out into a natural body of water.
Pros of Combined Sewer Systems
Combined sewer systems are desirable for various reasons. They are great if the area has these qualities:
- Limited space for sewer systems
- A regular pattern of rainfall
- Minimal sewage
Combined sewer systems are advantageous because of these reasons:
- The maintenance cost is less
- Some level of self-cleaning due to velocity
- The large pipeline allows for easier confined space cleaning
- It is economical to build one pipeline instead of two
Cons of Combined Sewer Systems
Combined sewer systems do have some unfortunate drawbacks. Like all systems, this one has its cons. The cons of combined sewer systems include:
- Polluted stormwater can flow into natural bodies of water and streets
- A large intake of fluid to process at treatment plants
- The large size of the pipeline can be an encumbrance
Combined sewer systems have their pros and cons. While it might be great for cities and compact suburban areas, it could also lead to some smelly flooding during heavy rainfall. Even so, Jet Blast Inc. is here to clean them faithfully.
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Jet Blast® Industrial Services strives every day in an effort to provide our customers with the best service and equipment possible. Providing a safe and stable workplace has allowed us to keep a team of quality people, with most having a tenure of 15 – 25 years with Jet Blast®. With all that experience under one roof, we have been able to provide reliable 24-hour service since 1979. I believe this helps to set us apart from the competition.
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