Addressing The Need For An
Upgraded Sanitary Sewer System

April 1, 2008

Communities throughout the country, including the Hampton Roads Region, are addressing the issue of necessary upgrades to aging sanitary sewer systems.
Here are answers to common questions about how the region, including the city of Hampton, is addressing this issue

How big is Hampton's sanitary sewer system?

The city's sanitary sewer system is comprised of more than 2.5 million feet (482 miles) of pipe, 108 pump stations, over 10,800 manholes and 46,677 lateral connections. Sewage flows out of individual laterals and is conveyed by gravity to pump stations where it is then pumped under pressure to larger regional pump stations which in turn pump the sewage to a treatment plant. At the treatment plant, solids and impurities are removed and "clean" water is discharged back into the environment. Manholes provide access points for maintenance and monitoring of the system.

What is a sanitary sewer overflow?

As a sanitary sewer system ages, various physical stresses, chemical reactions, material imperfections and construction deficiencies lead to small breaks and holes developing in the system, which allow surface water to flow into the system during rain storms. Typically, this is a regional issue. In low-lying areas, high tides and storm surges can add to the inflow into the system. When this happens raw sewage can sometimes escape the system and is discharged into the environment.

Is there a regional and state approach to addressing this?

The regional nature of the sewage treatment system has called for a regional approach. A regional agreement was approved in July 2007 and a Regional Consent Order was subsequently ratified by the State Water Control Board in September 2007. In addition, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), whose mission is to protect and enhance Virginia's environment and to promote the health and well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth, is overseeing this process.

What is the city of Hampton going to do?

The Consent Order requires a five-year study period to identify the causes of overflows and to develop a plan to correct those problems. While the initial study period is five years, necessary system repairs and maintenance are occurring now.

The study period will include the following major efforts:

• Develop a System Hydraulic Model
• Develop a Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) Plan
• Develop a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study (SSES) Plan
• Replace and Upgrade the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System
• Implement a flow metering program
• Implement interim repairs and improvements to the system

At the end of the five years a new Consent Order will be developed to cover the implementation of these plans.

All of these actions are to assure that the city, and the region, are in compliance with state and federal law.

How much will it cost?

Hampton's sewer rates have not increased since 2002. In order to meet the commitments made in the Consent Order the rate must increase in July 2008 from its current level of $1.07 per 100 cubic feet to $1.48 per 100 cubic feet. This increase will generate an additional $2.26 million per year. This proposed rate is still the lowest in the region. The proposed increase would result in about a $40 per year increase in sewer fees for the average city homeowner. This fee increase has been discussed in the city's budget process for FY2009. Other cities are also implementing changes to their rate structure.

Is technology helping to lower the cost of maintenance and repairs?

From a technological standpoint, the tools necessary to analyze and detect the causes of overflows have become more generally available and affordable in recent years. Use of television cameras and computer technology to inspect sewer systems has become commonplace. The ability to make inspection devices smaller and controllable remotely enhances the ability to find the places in the system where excessive inflow may occur. The cost and viability of liners and sealants has also improved making it more feasible to repair systems without having to dig them up.