Sewer Rehabilitation Project (2009 LGAA)

Village of Owego (Winner)
County: Tioga County
Population: Less than 5,000
Village Hall: (607) 687-2282

The Village of Owego undertook a sewer rehabilitation project that will reduce the inflow/infiltration into the collection system and assist the Village in meeting the reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus required by the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Program. The project uses trenchless technology which eliminates pipe joints within the trunk line, thereby improving the flow and reducing friction loss. This decreases the chances of blockage within the lines, which affects service connections to Village residents.

The sewer rehabilitation project has addressed two primary areas of concern. The first was the age of the collection system, which in many areas exceeds 60 years. This technology provides the necessary structural integrity to the trunk line. The other area of concern was inflow/infiltration into the system. Trenchless technology provides for a seamless pipe that eliminates pipe joints and other defects, which cause the inflow/infiltration into the collection system.

The use of trenchless technology has resulted in savings for the Village and cost an estimate of 50% less than if they undertook a more traditional dig and replace. Additionally, the traditional dig and replace typically disrupts neighborhoods for months at a time. The use of trenchless technology allows the same work to be done in a matter of days, resulting in significant cost savings and increased government efficiency.