Root Control: Fundamentals, Implications, and Chemical Programs

1. ROOT CONTROL HOW DOES IT WORK AND WHY IS IT NEEDED OR THE FUNDAMENTALS AND IMPLICATIONS OF A CHEMICAL ROOT CONTROL PROGRAM A CRASH COURSE ( Classes 101 301 ) CSWEA COLLECTION SEMINAR 6-11-09 BASICS OF ROOT CONTROL PRESENTED BY: JOHN NELSON SR. Representing: DUKES ROOT CONTROL

2. Impacts of Roots in Sewers (Why Root Control?) (Introduction) The Basics of Root Growth and Historical Root Control Methods (RC 101) The Role of Root Control as the Foundation of a Comprehensive Preventative Maintenance Program (RC 201) Case Studies (RC 301) Outline

3. The intrusion of roots into sewers is probably the most destructive single element that faces those maintaining wastewater collection systems. The EPA States.

4. EPAs CMOM Program 16,000+ collection systems 1 Million miles of pipe Trillions of infrastructure investment Hundreds of Billions in rehabilitation needs >70,000 sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) Threat to public health and water quality

5. Over 70,000 SSOs per Year

6. SSO Causes 43% Blockages 27% Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) 12% Structural Failures 11% Power Failures 7% Other

7. Blockages Blockages Caused by: Roots Grease Debris Collapsed pipe

8. Basics of Root Growth and Problems Caused by Roots in Sewers (RC 101) Mainline and service lateral stoppages Fracturing of pipe and separation of joints Infiltration and Inflow (I/I) Reduction of flow capacity Grease and debris build-up First Cause

9. Damage to Joints Results in I/I

10. Roots and Grease Reduce Capacity

11. Roots grow at the cellular level Can penetrate the smallest cracks Growth is at the tip of the root How do Roots Grow?

12. Why do Roots Thrive in Your Sewers? Ideal Growing Environment Unlimited Water Supply Excellent Source of Nutrients (Triple 17) Constant Supply of Air

13. Because of constant flow and pipe/soil temperature variance, sewer pipe have condensation. The leading tip of the root can detect and grow toward nutrients and moisture. Most urban environments are covered with concrete or asphalt. Roots grow deeper or outside drip lines. Backfill used during construction provides favorable soil. Why do Roots Seem to Seek Sewers?

14. If left alone, can grow very large How do Roots Grow?

15. Methods of Controlling Roots in Your Sewer System (RC 101 Continued) Mechanical Methods Chemical Methods

16. Mechanical Methods Rodding Machines Bucket Machines Hydraulic Cleaners (Jet Trucks) Cutting Tools

17. Mechanical Methods Jet Rodding Machine

18. Often damages the host pipe Problems with Mechanical Methods

19. Problems with Mechanical Methods

20. Problems with Mechanical Methods Results of Adding Final Step for Vigorous Root Growth - PRUNING Cuts away outer layers of root cap, exposing cambium cells accelerating growth Problem returns sooner Roots grow more densely

21. Root system will be as dense as the branch system True Results of Mechanical Methods

22. Root system will be as dense as the branch system UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

23. The Unfortunate Truth The unfortunate reality is that the problems we are all dealing with today are a result of the way we have been maintaining our sewers for the past 50-plus years.

24. Chemical Methods of Root Control (RC 201) Acids and Solvents Copper Sulfate Dichlobenil Metam Sodium / Dichlobenil Diquat Dibromide

25. Chemical Methods of Root Control Acids and Solvents (Historical) Health and safety issues when handling Downstream impacts to treatment facilities Ineffectual Illegal

26. Chemical Methods of Root Control Copper Sulfate - CuSO 4 Provided as crystals Health and safety issues Ineffective delivery method Is a systemic herbicide Persistent in the environment

27. Whats Makes Modern Chemical Root Control Systems More Effective Best systems consist of : Herbicide State of the art foaming technolgies for herbicide delivery with longer retention time Degreaser No bypass requirements Applicators Qualification & Experience - Chemical Root Control inherantly done in areas prone to backups

28. Foaming action brings herbicide to all roots Degreaser exposes roots Whats Makes Chemical Root Control So Effective

29. Dichlobenil 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile C 7 H 3 Cl 2 N Chemical Methods of Root Control

30. Metam Sodium / Dichlobenil Sodium methyldithiocarbamate C 2 H 4 N NaS 2 Chemical Methods of Root Control

31. Diquat Dibromide 9,10-dihydro-8a, 10a-diazoniaphenanthrene dibromide Chemical Methods of Root Control

32. Role of Chemical Root Control as the Foundation to a Comprehensive Preventative Maintenance Program. (RC 201)

33. Starting a Root Control Program Use historical data Sewers located near other problem areas Wooded easements Sewer lines with numerous laterals Concrete pipe, clay pipe and Orangeburg pipe

34. What Should you Expect From Your Chemical Root Control Program 80%-95% reduction in sewer stoppages Reduce related off hour sewer calls Drastically reduce overtime related costs Future sustainability Less headaches More production

35. Benefits of a Chemical Root Control Program Eliminate blockages and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) Cost effective solution that will preserve the structural integrity of the pipe Significantly increase the effectiveness of scheduled maintenance

36. Implementing a Preventive Maintenance Root Control Program Evaluation of sanitary sewer system Choose most appropriate method Use products proven to be effective and environmentally friendly Develop long term sustainable plan

37. Preventive maintenance using chemical root control as it's foundation Comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Programs

38. Preventive Maintenance Programs Eliminate SSO's & stoppages Reduce I&I Restore pipe capacity Future sustainability

39. Eliminate SSO's & Stoppages Chemical root control Reduction of up to 99% of root related stoppages Increase crew morale & production Decrease cost of P.M. & Maintenance

40. Prevent I&I Can't turn back the clock Eliminate processes which cause I&I

41. Restore Pipe Capacity Insufficient capacity cause of many SSO's Roots & Grease decrease pipe capacity Traditional methods of preventing SSOs don't address capacity

42. Future Sustainability Sewers represent largest investment to municipalities Out of sight, out of mind. Sewers as a business Chemical PM ensures pipelines retain asset value and sustainable level of service

43. Case Studies (RC 301) CASE STUDY # 1 IMPACT ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE CALLS CASE STUDY #2 ECONOMIC IMPACT CASE STUDY # 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CASE STUDY #4- COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING

44. Case Study # 1 Emergency Response Two service areas Averaged 300+ service lateral renewals per month in each service area First year treated 600,000 L.F +/- chronic problem areas After first year service calls dropped to less than 90 per month in each service area

45. Case Study # 2 Economic Impact Conducted a root control program on 6 of 37 sub- basins Sub-basins selected on basis of age, number of SSOs and backups After treatment: Recorded 67% drop in maintenance costs Backups dropped from 50+ per year to between 12 and 15 per year, a 70 to 76% drop SSOs dropped from 15 per year to 2 to 3 per year, an 80 to 85% drop

46. Case Study # 3 Environmental Impact

47. CASE STUDY # 4 - Comprehensive Understanding 950 Miles of sewer 44,000 Customers 1,085,572 lf of Chemical Root Control since 2003

48. Spills Caused By Roots 2003- 2006

49. Impact of Spills Reaching Waters of the State 2003-2006

50. Cleaning Activities 2003 - 2006

51. CCTV Inspection 2003 - 2006

52. ROW Clearing 2003 - 2006

53. Overview Illustrates that chemical root control is a low cost and quick way to transition substantial O&M forces from a reactive mode to preventive maintenance Show immediate improvements in level of service: Fewer SSOs Fewer basement backups (fewer insurance claims) Extend useful life of the asset and reduce maintenance needs

54. CONCLUSION These results show that, where historical mechanical and hydraulic root control methods can lead to significant unintended consequences, the use of a proven effective and environmentaly friendly chemical for your root control can be the cornerstone of a comprehensive preventative maintenance program!