Inflow & Infiltration

Inflow and Infiltration Program

The Town of Lincoln has two separate sewer systems: sewage system (sanitary sewer) and stormwater sewer system.

What is Inflow and Infiltration (I/I)?

Inflow:

The flow of storm water into the sanitary sewer system from sources such as downspouts and illegal sump pump connections through direct or indirect connections.

Infiltration:

 The flow of water into the sanitary sewer system through aged or defective pipes and/or maintenance chambers (i.e. cracks, defective joints, etc.) through soil (both groundwater and rainwater).

  Video Demonstration of Inflow & Infiltration:

Program background

Niagara Region in combination with Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln completed a Pollution Prevention and Control Plan (PPCP) for the Baker Road Wastewater Treatment Plant Service Area with the objective of establishing a Master Servicing Plan (MSP) to support the community's growth while meeting the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP) goals of the F-5-5 Procedure to reduce combined sewer overflow pollution to the environment. As part of the PPCP, areas of concern were identified due to capacity constraints from inflow or infiltration (I/I). I/I Reduction Programs were recommended to help free up capacity to support growth, reduce future capital and operating costs associated with the collection and treatment of non-sanitary water (such as storm water) and protect the environment and residents homes from flooding.

Following the identification of areas of concern related to inflow and infiltration (I/I), the Town implemented I/I Flow Monitoring Studies to gather critical data for informing rehabilitation efforts, specifically in the Ontario Street Sewershed in Beamsville.

Ontario Street Sewershed Map

The targeted inflow and infiltration program is intended to identify sources of I/I in the Town’s sanitary sewer systems.

I/I programs can include:

Sewer and lateral replacements,
Sewer and maintenance hole rehabilitation such as lining, grouting, or spot repairs
Downspout and foundation drain/sump pump disconnections.
The Town also implements Subdivision Flow Monitoring to ensure that sanitary sewer systems are constructed properly before assumption.

Do you have a question about the Town's Inflow and Infiltration Program? Reach out to the Public Works Department at publicworks@lincoln.ca

Inflow and infiltration place a burden on the sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment facilities. Other potential problems that are caused by Inflow and Infiltration include:
- Basement flooding: Too much water in the sanitary sewer can cause backups into basements.
- Overflows into the environment. To prevent basement flooding during extreme wet weather events, a combination of storm water and wastewater can be released into the environment to alleviate the sanitary sewer capacity. Learn about Combined Sewer Overflows from the Niagara Region’s website at: Combined Sewer Overflows
- Reduced system capacity: restricts the capacity of the wastewater system, leaving less capacity for existing residents and future population growth.
- Increased costs to residents: Excess flows of clean environmental water is needlessly collected, transported and treated at the wastewater treatment plant.
- Dilution in sanitary sewers: Reduces efficiency of treatment plants.
There are a few simple things you can do to ensure your property doesn’t contribute to inflow and infiltration.
1. Ensure your home’s downspout is disconnected from the sanitary sewer system and flowing properly towards the storm sewer.
2. Ensure sewer grates on your street are free from debris such as leaves and garbage to ensure storm water drains properly.
3. Use a rain barrel.