The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is continuing its major wastewater outfall collection and distribution inspection and cleaning program.  Cleaning and maintenance helps prevent system failures which prove costly to our customers and the environment.  Debris blockages in wastewater pipes are the number one reason for sewer spill occurrence or SSO’s.

The project has provided immediate results, removing such varied items as bricks, traffic cones, tree roots, large accumulations of grease, and thousands of yards of sand and sediment.  Also, when wastewater pools in the lines due to blockage, the stagnant water produces hydrogen sulfide and other corrosive gasses which vastly shorten the life cycle of the pipe.  Cleaning these blockages allows water to begin moving as designed which greatly reduces these corrosive gases.