Wastewater Collection
Wastewater Collection is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s sanitary sewer collection system. The collection system includes approximately 400 miles of sewer pipes, 8,200 manholes and 63 lift stations. System maintenance includes cleaning, mainline repairs, manhole rehabilitation, pump replacement/repairs and response to customer service requests.
The City’s Wastewater Collection System (Public Sewer) is designed to convey the wastewater that is discharged from residential and commercial customers private sewer service lateral pipes to the Wastewater Treatment Plant or Water Reclamation Facility. Sewer customers are responsible for maintaining their own “Private Sewer Line” extending to the “Private Sewer Connection” on the Public Sewer Main.
To report a problem or contact the Wastewater Collection staff, please call:
• 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM M-F (928) 777-1630
• 3:30 PM – 7:00 AM (928) 777-1626
“Smoke” Testing
City of Prescott Wastewater Operations periodically performs “smoke” testing to identify problem spots with city sewer mains. If you have received a flyer about “smoke” testing in your area, more information can be found in the PDF below.
Pipe Bursting
Pipe bursting is a semi-trenchless method of replacing and/or rehabilitating aged and undersized sewer infrastructure. While a significant portion of this rehabilitation work can be completed without disturbing surface improvements, excavation needs to occur for an insertion pit as well as excavation for each service lateral location to re-establish private services. See diagram below:
The City’s Wastewater Operations group contracts with a specialized pipe bursting contractor on a regular basis to continually renew our aging infrastructure and upsize infrastructure that is at capacity or no longer within code and standard.
OWNERSHIP AND LOCATION OF YOUR PRIVATE SEWER LINE
As shown in the illustration below, a private property owners “Private Sewer Line” extends from the home’s foundation and includes its connection to the “City Sewer Main”. Property owners in the City of Prescott are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the private sewer lines up to and including the tap into the City main.
BACKWATER VALVES
A backwater valve is a one-way valve that is installed on the building’s “Private Sewer Line” or the lateral sewer line. A properly installed and maintained backwater valve will prevent the lateral sewer line from backing up with sewage entering the building. The requirements for installation can be found in City Code Title III, Chapter 30, Section P3008. In support of this code, all structures connected to the City sewer system require an approved backwater valve.
PREVENTIVE SEWER LINE MAINTENANCE
The Wastewater Collections team is responsible for the implementation of the Sewer Line Preventative Maintenance Program. By using historical data and a variety of specialized cleaning equipment, the entire collection system is cleaned a minimum of every three years. A number of line segments are cleaned more frequently due to tree roots, fats, oils, grease and pipe condition. Maintenance needs of the collection system are determined by an internal video inspection of the pipes. These videos are then preserved in the City’s Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
Wastewater Collection crews routinely inspect sewer main line conditions in the collection system utilizing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) equipment. Video inspections are performed to evaluate existing pipe conditions, verify cleaning efficiency, locate private sewer connections and provide justification for Capital Improvement Projects to repair or replace old and damaged sewer main lines.
