Pipe Dreams 101: Understanding the Art of Sanitary Sewer Master Planning

Presentation Description: Sanitary sewer master planning is a comprehensive process that ensures long-term system reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective infrastructure investment. This 101-level presentation introduces attendees to the full lifecycle of master planning, from model development to calibration, performance evaluation, and capital improvement prioritization, while emphasizing the importance of quality data collection and application. Operators will gain insight into how their daily observations and maintenance records can support planning efforts.

Participants will explore how geographic information systems (GIS), flow and rainfall monitoring, SCADA operations data, and parcel-level billing data come together to build accurate and dynamic models of sewer collection systems. This session will highlight the importance of selecting appropriate modeling software and calibration methods — such as RTK and Wallingford — to simulate both dry and wet weather conditions and predict system responses to future events.

Beyond hydraulic modeling, the presentation will explore the “how” and the “why” behind agency decisions to define performance and design criteria based on factors such as risk tolerance, collection system history, and regional criteria comparisons. This presentation will flesh out how these criteria — including allowable surcharge levels and design storm thresholds — serve as the foundation for identifying system deficiencies and prioritizing improvements.

Attendees will learn how master plans use modeling outputs to guide strategic investments through capital improvement programs (CIPs), and subsequently assess the potential sewer impacts of new development. In addition, the presentation will touch on how results from a condition assessment program can be integrated into an overall prioritized CIP that seeks to balance risk and investment.

Throughout the session, the audience will be invited to participate in various interactive activities such as “Operator Insight” polls and pop quizzes with small prizes. The presentation will end with a “choose your own adventure” engagement invitation, during which the audience will select one of three more advanced sewer modeling and master planning topics to delve further into – Real-Time Control Modeling, Pollutant Travel Time Analysis, or Collection System Storage Volume Analysis.