Ecoflow – Private I/I and Rainwater Reduction Program in Lawrence, KS

The City of Lawrence, Kansas has been aggressive in its efforts to maintain its wastewater collection system. The City has successfully reduced basement backups through proactive maintenance and a public-sector rehabilitation program focused on cured-in-place-pipe lining. Due to aging infrastructure, peak wet-weather flows of 8 to 10 times above the average daily flows continue at the wastewater treatment plant following significant storm events. These significant peak flows put a strain on the capacity of the sanitary sewer collection system and the existing wastewater treatment plant.In 2012, the City of Lawrence Department of Utilities completed an update of its Wastewater Master Plan. One of the recommendations from the Master Plan was to reduce peak wet weather flows to the wastewater treatment plant by 19 MGD, or 35%, in order to reduce or eliminate the need for conveyance improvements and expanding capacity at the existing treatment facility. The Master Plan recommended implementing a Rapid Inflow & Infiltration (I/I) Reduction Program that included a private I/I component to supplement the ongoing public sewer system rehabilitation.The 5,260 acre area identified for the Private I/I program includes approximately 589,000 feet of sanitary sewer and 8,800 properties, some dating back to the late 1800s. This area is an older section of the City that drains by gravity to the wastewater treatment plant. The Private I/I removal program, branded Ecoflow – Rapid Rainwater Reduction Program, was approved as part of the Department’s Capital Improvement Program. Phase 1 of 8 was launched in 2014.