Rehoboth conducting sewer pipeline assessment

As part of a wastewater planning grant, Rehoboth Beach is actively conducting sewer manhole field inspections across the city.

According to an April 6 press release on the city’s website, this work is being done in conjunction with the closed-circuit television sewer inspection work already underway.

Contractor KCI Technologies began acoustic inspections on city sewer lines April 6, using a process called sewer line rapid assessment tool. A map showing a breakdown of areas in the study says approximately 77,000 linear feet will be inspected.

Wastewater planning grants are given by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and assist with wastewater infrastructure project planning and design. In an email April 6, Rehoboth Public Works Director Kevin Williams said the city applied for the $50,000 matching grant in January and was awarded the grant March 20. He said it’s expected to take about four weeks for KCI to complete field work.

Williams said the acoustic inspections will provide an idea of the degree to which a pipe may be clogged. He said results for a specific pipe are available immediately; the field work report will be delivered a few weeks after completion.

Williams said acoustic inspections help prioritize where to spend money using the closed-circuit TV, which is more expensive. Acoustic inspections tell the city what may be clogged the most, while the the closed-circuit TV inspections give a better result because the video shows the actual condition of the pipe.

The press release says this work will be conducted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will not interrupt any services.

 For more information about this project, contact the communications department at 302-227-6181 Ext. 522 or communications@cityofrehoboth.com.