Exfiltration from gravity sewers: a pilot scale study
Vollertsen, J.; Hvitved-Jacobsen, T.
Water Science and Technology a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research 47(4): 69-76
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0273-1223 PMID: 12666803 Document Number: 554622
Pilot-scale experiments were conducted on exfiltration of wastewater from gravity sewers. The effect of storm events, flushing of pipes and alternating infiltration/exfiltration were simulated. Exfiltration through different types of sewer leaks and into different soils were studied. It was found that the exfiltration rate became constant after some days of exfiltration. It stayed constant for the duration of the experiments, which typically spanned over some weeks. The exfiltration was governed by the development of a clogging zone at the sewer leak and could be characterized by a leakage factor. The leakage factor may then be used to estimate the risk of groundwater pollution from a sewer network.