sewer line root controlline+root+control.pdf · years to kill tree roots. foaming root control...

Sewer Line Root Control

Matthew ScaglioneDUKE’S ROOT [email protected]

http://www.dukes.com/

“HAPPY LITTLE TREES”

WHAT LIES BENEATH…..?

ROOTS!

The EPA States….

“The intrusion of roots into sewers is probably the most destructive single element that faces those maintaining wastewater collection systems.”

How Do Roots Grow?

- Roots grow at the cellular level

- Can penetrate the smallest cracks

- Growth occurs at the tip of

the root

As Much Tree Below Ground as Exists Above the Surface

How Do Roots Grow In Sewers?

- Roots grow along the crown of pipe

- Enter into cracks & joints

- Flourish inside

How Do Roots Grow in Sewers?

DRIP LINE


Root StructureNow thought to be 4-7 times the size of the

“Drip Line" Area

DRIP LINE

Why do Roots Thrive in Your Sewers?

Ideal Growing Environment

- Unlimited Water Supply

- Excellent Source of Nutrients

- Constant Supply of Air

- Stable Temperature

Why do Roots find sewers?

- Because of constant flow and pipe/soil temperature variance, sewer pipes have condensation.

- The leading tip of the root can detect and grow toward nutrients and moisture. Follows vapor trails.

- Most urban environments are covered with concrete or asphalt.

- Roots grow deeper or outside drip lines.

- Backfill used during construction provides favorable area for roots to grow in.

Problems Caused by Roots

- Stoppages & SSO’s.- Decreased life of pipe.- Decreased capacity.- Infiltration & Inflow.- Overtime & Increased maintenance.- Liability & Insurance

SSO Caused By Roots

SSO Caused By Roots

15

Pipe Dug Up Because of Roots

Diminished Capacity Due to Roots

Roots Expand Joints & Cracks:allows for increased I&I

Structural Degradation

Roots in Plastic Pipe

Plastic Pipe Dug Up Because of Roots

Roots in Joints, cracks & connections

Roots Around Outside of Pipe

Pipe Pulled out of the Groundby Roots From a Fallen Tree

Roots being removed from a sewer: A maintenance nightmare or trophy hunting?

I Once Caught a Root “THIS BIG”!


I AM ROOT

• Rodding Machines• Bucket Machines • Hydraulic Cleaners (Jet Trucks)• Cutting Tools

Mechanical Cutting Methods

30

Mechanical Cutting Methods

Root Cutting (pruning)Pro’s

- Pro’s- very important to have good root removal tools for following reasons.

- Immediate relief of stoppage & blockage

- Last 3-12 months-buys you some time

- Allows for CCTV inspection

Mechanical Methods:cutting or pruning?

Root system will be as dense as the branch system

Problems with Mechanical Methods

Results of Adding Final Step for Vigorous Root Growth—PRUNING Cuts away outer layers of root

cap, exposing cambium cells accelerating growth

Problem returns sooner and roots grow more densely

Root Cutting (pruning)Cons

- Con’s – Unintended Consequences lead to additional asset management issues.

- Roots grow back more aggressively- Pruning causes more root mass over time- Leads to structural damage of the pipe- Many cutters can damage compromised pipe- Tools get stuck in pipe- Production is slow- **Does not affect outside of pipe or laterals**

Results from “Pruning”

There’s Got to Be A Better Way!

Where Do You Turn?

Chemical Root Control (CRC)What is it?

41

Chemical Root ControlCRC Defined

- CRC is the application of EPA registered herbicides, to sewer lines, to kill existing tree roots and control future root growth.

- All CRC products are considered pesticides.

- Governed by EPA and state regulatory agencies.

- Must be registered and have EPA label.

- General Use or Restricted Use

The Root Control Product Must Registered with the EPA

Chemicals Have Been Used for Many Years to Kill Tree Roots.

Foaming Root Control Started Over40 Years Ago.

Today, Most Root Control Products are Applied by Contractors.

RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!!!

Chemical Methods of Root Control

- Dichlobenil

- Metam Sodium / Dichlobenil

- Diquat Dibromide

- Copper Sulfate

- Acids and Solvents

When Licensing Is Needed (EPA)

• Federal law requires any person who applies or supervises the use of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) to be certified in accordance with EPA regulations and state, territorial and tribal laws. Pesticide applicators must know how to apply RUPs properly and effectively.

• Check to see if the state has requirements that are stricter than the federal requirements. For example, many states require all commercial applicators, not only those using RUPs, to be certified.

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/restricted-use-products-rup-report

When Licensing Is Not Needed (ODA)

• When applying pesticides, other than Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs), to property owned by you or your employer

• Applications of general use pesticides by public employees with non-powered equipment, except on school properties

• Advising others on general use pesticides

• Applying pesticides as a part of landscape maintenance under specific conditions

When Licensing IS Needed (ODA)

• Buying, applying, or supervising the use of RUPs

• Advising others on the use of RUPs

• Applying pesticides to someone else’s property (private or public land)

• Applying pesticides as a public employee using machine-powered equipment and/or applying RUPs

• Applying pesticides on school properties

Hose Insertion Method

Hose Propelled By Hand or Mechanically

The Foam is the Carrying Agent for the Herbicide.

Foam is Applied From Manhole to Manhole.

2-3 Man Crews

CRC applied year round

How does it work?

• Roots are killed inside and outside the pipe.

• Root are killed at lateral connections.

• Roots are dead the day of treatment.

• Roots decompose after treatment, slough off in 90-120 days, on average.

• Re-growth is controlled for about 3 years.

• The best products carry 2 or 3 year guarantees against stoppages caused by roots.

What Makes Modern Chemical Root Control So Effective?

• Best systems consist of :– - Herbicide– - State of the art foaming technologies for herbicide

delivery with longer retention time– - No bypass requirements– - Ability to treat any size pipe– - Applicators: Certified & Experienced – - Continual R&D for better products & methods

- Foaming action brings herbicide to all roots

- Surfactants expose root


- No bypassing of flow required. Foam sticks to tops and sides of pipe. Flow continues under the foam and doesn’t wash away the foam.

- The longer the foam is in the pipe the better: contact time is usually 12-24 hrs.

- No limits on pipe size. Different types of nozzles are used for larger diameter pipe. 84” pipe has been effectively treated using foam. Most common pipe size is 6”-15” diameter.


Qualifications & Experience

- The longer you do something the better you get at it. Experience matters!

- Licensed applicators – State Issued- Equipment operation- Chemical mixing – safety- Different situations require different techniques for

maximum effectiveness.


Methods of Application

- Pour down products

- Soaking

- Jet trucks

- Hose insertion


Continual Research & Development- New Information

- New Regulations

- New Pesticides

- Safety of worker, customer & environment

- Less chemical use per project

- Non-carcinogenic products (latest development)


Starting a Root Control Program

- Use historical data

- Sewers located near other problem areas

- Wooded easements

- Sewer lines with numerous laterals

- Concrete pipe, Clay pipe and Orangeburg pipe

Implementing a Preventive Maintenance Root Control Program

- Evaluation and assessment of sanitary sewer system

- Choose most appropriate method

- Use products proven to be effective, safe, non-carcinogenic & environmentally conscious

- WWTP Friendly

- No damage to above ground plants

- Develop long term sustainable plan (3 year cycle)

- Continue to monitor and evaluate

What Should You Expect From Your Chemical Root Control Program

- 99.3% reduction in sewer stoppages- Reduce related off hour sewer calls- Reduce liability claims- Future sustainability-keep the pipe in the ground –

fewer dig ups & point repairs.- Prevent future I&I- More production- Restore pipe capacity

Identifying Dead Roots After Treatment


6 weeks after treatment After pressure-washing


DEADALIVE

CRC & Rehab

- Recommended application 90-120 days prior tore-lining or grouting.

- CRC allows for improved application of re-lining product prior to installation.

- Stabilizes pipe condition until rehab scheduled

- Prevents maintenance before scheduling.

- Controls roots in laterals.

- Minimal additional cost, Maximizes rehab effectiveness.

Roots Growing in Lined Pipe

Liner Removed Due to Roots

977 Miles of sewer 48,000 Customers 1,661,619 lf of Chemical Root Control since 2003 2005 Wastewater Collection System of the Year in GA 2007 Wastewater Collection System of the Year in GA 2011 Wastewater Collection System Excellence

Award, GA

Case Study #1: Macon Georgia

Spills Caused By Roots 2003-2011

Chart1

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Spills

27

23

3

2

8

2

0

3

1

Sheet1

200320042005200620072008200920102011

Spills27233282031

Impact of Root-Caused Spills Reaching Waters of the State 2003-2011

Chart1

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Volume

73500

44060

5125

2500

6500

2955

0

2040

480

Sheet1

200320042005200620072008200920102011

Volume73,50044,0605,1252,5006500295502040480

Cleaning Activities 2003 - 2011

Chart1

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Cleaning

186000

1032918

1538506

1671366

1153472

1365338

1488531

1346400

1267200

Sheet1

200320042005200620072008200920102011

Cleaning186,0001,032,9181,538,5061,671,3661,153,4721,365,3381,488,5311,346,4001,267,200

CCTV Inspection 2003 – 2011

Chart1

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

CCTV

88000

474848

663152

583427

342386

347994

323614

105600

227040

Sheet1

200320042005200620072008200920102011

CCTV88,000474,848663,152583,427342,386347,994323,614105,600227,040

ROW Clearing 2003 - 2011

Chart1

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

ROW Clearing

35000

355676

544007

543394

339708

424522

275544

327360

190080

Sheet1

200320042005200620072008200920102011

ROW Clearing35,000355,676544,007543,394339,708424,522275,544327,360190,080

Case Study # 2: Economic Impact

Treated 6 of 37 sub-basinsSub-basins selected on basis of age, number of SSO’s and backups

Case Study #2: Economic Impact

After treatment:

Recorded 67% drop in maintenance costs

Backups dropped from 50+ per year to between 12 and 15 per year, a 70 to 76% drop

SSO’s dropped from 15 per year to 2 to 3 per year, an 80 to 85% drop

Overview

Illustrates that chemical root control is a low cost and quick way to transition substantial O&M forces from a reactive mode to preventive maintenance

Show immediate improvements in level of service: Fewer SSOs Fewer basement backups (fewer insurance claims)

Extend useful life of the asset and reduce maintenance needs

Conclusion

These results show that, where historical mechanic and hydraulic root control methods can lead to a significant unintended consequences, the use of a proven, effective and environmentally friendly chemical for your root control can be the cornerstone of a comprehensive, preventative maintenance program!

Q&A

Matthew ScaglioneDUKE’s ROOT [email protected]


Thank You

Matthew ScaglioneDUKE’s ROOT [email protected]

OUTTA NOWHERE!!!!


Sewer Line Root Control�Slide Number 2Slide Number 3The EPA States….How Do Roots Grow?As Much Tree Below Ground as Exists Above the SurfaceHow Do Roots Grow In Sewers?How Do Roots Grow in Sewers? How Do Roots Grow in Sewers?How Do Roots Grow in Sewers?Why do Roots Thrive in Your Sewers? Why do Roots find sewers?Problems Caused by Roots�SSO Caused By RootsSSO Caused By RootsPipe Dug Up Because of RootsDiminished Capacity Due to RootsRoots Expand Joints & Cracks:�allows for increased I&IStructural DegradationRoots in Plastic PipePlastic Pipe Dug Up Because of RootsRoots in Joints, cracks & connectionsRoots Around Outside of PipePipe Pulled out of the Ground�by Roots From a Fallen TreeRoots being removed from a sewer: �A maintenance nightmare or trophy hunting?I Once Caught a Root “THIS BIG”!Slide Number 27I Once Caught a Root “THIS BIG”!Slide Number 29Mechanical Cutting MethodsMechanical Cutting MethodsRoot Cutting (pruning)�Pro’sMechanical Methods:�cutting or pruning?Problems with Mechanical MethodsRoot Cutting (pruning)�Cons�Slide Number 36Slide Number 37Slide Number 38There’s Got to Be A Better Way!Where Do You Turn?Chemical Root Control (CRC)� What is it?Chemical Root Control�CRC DefinedThe Root Control Product Must Registered with the EPAChemicals Have Been Used for Many Years to Kill Tree Roots.�Foaming Root Control Started Over�40 Years Ago.Today, Most Root Control Products are Applied by Contractors.Chemical Methods of Root ControlWhen Licensing Is Needed (EPA)When Licensing Is Not Needed (ODA)When Licensing IS Needed (ODA)Hose Insertion MethodHose Propelled By Hand or MechanicallyThe Foam is the Carrying Agent for the Herbicide.Foam is Applied From Manhole to Manhole.2-3 Man CrewsCRC applied year roundHow does it work?What Makes Modern Chemical Root Control So Effective?Slide Number 59Slide Number 60Slide Number 61Slide Number 62Slide Number 63Starting a Root Control ProgramImplementing a Preventive Maintenance Root Control Program What Should You Expect From Your Chemical Root Control ProgramSlide Number 67Slide Number 68Slide Number 69Slide Number 70CRC & RehabRoots Growing in Lined PipeLiner Removed Due to RootsCase Study #1: Macon GeorgiaSpills Caused By Roots 2003-2011Impact of Root-Caused Spills Reaching Waters of the State 2003-2011�Cleaning Activities 2003 - 2011CCTV Inspection 2003 – 2011�ROW Clearing 2003 - 2011Case Study # 2: Economic ImpactCase Study #2: Economic ImpactOverviewConclusionQ&AThank You

sewer line root controlline+root+control.pdf · years to kill tree roots. foaming root control...

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