Riviera Bay Construction: Sanitary Sewer Rehab

Sanitary Sewer Rehab
Riviera Bay Construction on-going. Sanitary Sewer Rehab project expected to last another 4 to 6 months. The Work in this targeted area and neighborhood involves a combination of projects

What is going on with all the construction in Riviera Bay? The short answer: Sanitary Sewer Rehab. For about a year now you probably have noticed an on-going construction project that seems like it will never end. We are heading towards the completion of the Sanitary Sewer Rehab project. Some neighbors have been impacted more than others. Some have had holes dug in their yard, others were required to allow Rowland, Inc. to dig up parts of their driveways. Some of these driveways were virtually brand new.

Thank you to Brandi Gabbard & Kimberly Amos who were able to quickly research and find a lot of information on this project. Below you’ll see a summary and also some very detailed answers to questions provided by Matthew C. Wilson, Engineer II for the City of St. Petersburg, FL.

BEFORE YOU REDESIGN YOUR DRIVEWAY, YOU SHOULD REACH OUT TO MAKE SURE IT WONT BE IMPACTED IN THE FUTURE.

Summary

On-going Sanitary Sewer Rehab

Status - Approx 6 Months Remaining on the Project Timeline

Email reply confirming the length of the Sanitary Sewer Rehab project in Riviera Bay. “You are correct in saying work will continue for approx. another 4-6 months until completion.  Many of the streets have been completed, and a lot of the remaining work includes a large section within rear easements (in the sub area referenced below).  Rear easements are always a little more challenging, as I am sure we will encounter special circumstances that will require direct coordination with residents with regards to access pathways and restoration.

Matt Wilson via email: 11/10/2022 

Questions & Answers

QUESTION

We need to understand what this project is, how long it was expected to last and what has caused the delay in finishing up the project.

ANSWER

The Work in this targeted area and neighborhood involves a combination of projects and contractors to rehabilitate the entire public portion of the gravity sanitary sewer collection system, and includes work involving CIPP (Cured-in-place-pipe) lining of the City’s sewer mains (pipes) and public sewer laterals (pipes serving individual addresses) and work to rehabilitate manholes (access structures connecting sewer pipes).  In totality, all of this work was expected to take between 12-18 months to complete and that has not changed. The nature of the work involves multiple phases that involves different construction contractors , work crews, and work types with muti-step processes over different non-continuous time periods.  

Work is continuing without delays as expected and It is expected that we have about 4-6 months of remaining work (primarily within the sub area between 3rd and Oak St, from 92nd to 89th Ave N) .  A large portion of the overall area has been totally completed. (please see below for some expansion on some common questions). 

QUESTION

Please Explain the sewer lateral lining process?

ANSWER

  1. City projects involving sanitary sewer lateral CIPP (cured-in- place-pipe) lining work are active and in the construction phase in your neighborhood. The construction phase itself is a muti-step process that involves different construction contractors , work crews and work types over different non-continuous time periods. Lateral lining only occurs after City sewer mains have been CIPP lined (which itself is a muti-step process but less invasive to the homeowner). A general process of steps involved in CIPP lateral lining follows:

Step-1: generally involves CCTV (closed circuit television) inspection, sometimes pre-cleaning where necessary, of the City’s sewer main and publicly owned portion of sewer laterals (the segments that connect to the homeowners privately owned portion of the sewer at the right of way line) for the segments that are planned to be CIPP lined. Step-1 is performed by crews using vans/trucks, televising equipment, and other cleaning trucks and equipment designed to collect the data for the City to determine if lining is possible, and if not, what other rehabilitation work is required.  There is no disruption to flow, service, or excavation during Step-1.  However, crews may need access to rear/side yard easements if a sewer is located in an easement.

Step-2: (Excavation Step) Where CIPP lining is deemed feasible, clean-outs are constructed adjacent to the property/ or easement line to enable CIPP lateral lining to be performed.  Clean-outs are City owned access structures necessary for this type of lateral lining.  They provide an inspection and cleaning port for this work and any future maintenance work at the point of connection where the City has ownership of the sewer lateral. This work is disruptive and involves excavation, but is minimal compared to the excavation and cost that would be necessary to replace the entire publicly owned portion of the sewer lateral (from main to property/easement line). In some cases, lining is not possible, and replacement of the entire lateral or more extensive repairs are needed. Defects that often occur at or near the transition between the public /private sewer are corrected during this step.  If crews encounter defective pipe on the private (customers) side, customers are typically notified directly and encouraged to have a plumber inspect and correct private-side-defects.  Construction crews are required to notify residents of impending work in the adjacent right of way that would cause a disruption 7 days in advance. Usually one notice is issued that covers periods of discontinuous work related to the same project, but different contractors will notify separately for their particular phase of work. Restoration (driveways, sod, pavers, fencing, sprinklers, etc.) of the area involved should be put back to as- good or better condition than prior to the work. Sometimes it is necessary to remove larger landscaping within the City right-of-way/easement to enable this work, and the homeowner is responsible for replacing these items (although it is not a good idea to plant large trees over or near a sewer line).  We make every effort to accommodate special situations where we can.

Step-3: Final cleaning/CCTV, CIPP lateral lining, and post CCTV inspection is performed by specific crews configured to perform this work. This work involves short disruption in service to the homeowner, but no excavation. Multiple trucks, labor , and ancillary equipment is involved, as well as MOT (maintenance of traffic) and access to City owned structures in the right of way including manholes and clean-outs. When lining is complete, a post CCTV inspection confirms the acceptability of all work.

QUESTION

A clear explanation of what it is and why it is being performed at this time?

ANSWER

CIPP lining is essentially constructing a new pipe (usually made of resin impregnated felt) within an old deteriorated pipe to stop leaks (infiltration of ground water into the pipe) and/or correct structural deficiencies (cracks, broken pipe, holes, etc.). This work is performed using specific labor crews, large trucks , and other ancillary equipment needed to invert the new pipe into place (think of turning a tube sock inside out) and cure it (harden the new pipe by ambient air, or heating with hot water or steam). It also involves above ground pumps and piping or hoses to divert sewage flow while the CIPP lining process is completed. Additional equipment for MOT (maintenance of traffic) is also deployed to ensure protection of the work area and the safe flow of traffic. The reason for the this work is to reduce infiltration and to restore the structural integrity of the City’s sewers. This area was identified during studies conducted by the City, and subsequent analysis that prioritized this area for needed mitigation of I/I (infiltration and inflow) and capacity improvements. It is estimated that around 60% of all infiltration into the City’s sewers likely comes from laterals (public and privately owned portion of the sewer located between the sewer main and home/building plumbing) with a large portion attributed to the private side. Infiltration contributes to the structural deterioration of piping, takes up capacity in sewers that is needed to prevent sanitary sewer overflows during peak flow events, and cost the City extra money for transporting and treating higher flows. It is normally more cost effective to CIPP line pipes that need rehabilitation, when it is still feasible, than it is to replaced them with costly and highly disruptive excavation when they fail.

QUESTION

We need some information behind it is the continuous construction project that is causing peoples yards and driveways to be dug up. This has been going on for about a year now”?

ANSWER

The work involving excavation in front yards and rear yards is work to install a City standard public sewer lateral clean-out to enable CIPP (Cured-in-place-pipe) lateral lining.    Each property has its own dedicated sewer lateral connection, some are served from the sewer main in front (within the right-of-way), and some are served from sewer mains running in easements along the rear property line.  For this type of CIPP lateral lining performed by the City’s Contractor (LMK Pipe Renewal, LLC) under City project #20013-111, a clean-out is needed.   This will continue until every lateral within the targeted area has a clean-out and is CIPP lined or repaired/replaced by excavation where necessary. 

Lateral lining is a final step in the rehabilitation of the whole public gravity sewer system

Before this work could begin, other crews and contractors had to perform their work, but it was less intrusive and did not involve excavation.  See the expanded FAQs and answers below for what it is, why it is being performed and current schedule. For issues related to pending restoration work/ timing,  or other corrective work related to specific properties, please contact a field representative listed below.

QUESTION

An estimated project schedule for this Work?

ANSWER

This project (CIPP lining of all publicly owned sewer laterals in your neighborhood) is expected to continue until completion over a long duration of time (estimated total duration of approx. 12-18 months).  Different areas are in different phases of construction.  Some areas are entirely completed while others are just entering the phase described above under #4,Step-1.

QUESTION

Any other details that would help the residents understand what is going on when they see their street being torn up?

ANSWER

Please keep in mind that CIPP lateral lining is usually the last final step the City takes to completely rehabilitate a gravity sewer pipe (the main and all connected laterals). Just to be able to get to that step, a considerable amount of time, work, and money has been invested in the rehabilitation of the sewer mains (8” and larger pipe that the individual service laterals connect into) and access structures (manholes) in the neighborhood. In doing that work, often times excavation is required to correct certain defects where CIPP lining is not feasible. In order to be both operationally effective and cost effective, a sewer main must be CIPP lined before any lateral CIPP lining can take place (sewer main CIPP lining work is performed using different equipment and crews to complete based on current technologies, so it is discontinuous from the sewer lateral CIPP lining process described in #4 above).

QUESTION

The location they are stationed and storing fill dirt / etc has completely clogged our gutters on the road. With all the Nicole rain coming it is going to wash into our canals as it’s been doing for about a year now. Today the crew working on it have left behind all kinds of debris (tree limbs, shrubs, etc). Rowland out of Pinellas Park is doing this work”?

ANSWER

Thank You for bringing this to our attention, the City’s field inspectors will investigate and correct this accordingly with the City’s Contractors (Rowland, Inc in this case, City project # 18017-111).  Silt control is an important measure to keep our storm system and canals free of debris.   For this type of work it is necessary for a contractor to have a work staging area where materials can be stored and delivered, and sometimes these need better site control or clean-up.   It may be possible to change this location, but space is limited within the area.

QUESTION

Who can we contact for more info or address a problem on-site?

ANSWER

  1. Generally the quickest way to resolve an issue/question is via the Contractor’s representative working on-site or the on-site City field representative/City Inspector, as they will be the most direct route to resolving your issue or status of work.  Any impending work notice and contact info is distributed to affected properties via doorhangers at least 7 days prior to any Work affecting a property.  A redundant list of contact info for the project related to this work follows:

City’s Contractor, Rowland Inc. (Excavation work):

Drake Rowland, Asst Project Manager, (727-423-8425)

City’s Contractor, LMK Pipe Renewal, LLC (Lateral CIPP lining work):

Frank Swartz, Project Manager, (954-294-6363)

City Inspector (Excavation Work):

Chuck Perry / Justin Marshall (727-893-7208 / 727-551-3885)

City Inspector (Lining Work): Roger Larkin (727-892-5179)

City Project Manager:

Matt Wilson (727-892-5658)

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