SEWER TELEVISION INSPECTION – GOING DIGITAL IN THE GIS WORLD

In 2003, the town of Dedham, Massachusetts implemented a digital sewer television inspection program in which 42,500 feet of sewers were inspected. The movie data and inspection observations generated during the inspections were stored on CDs/DVDs and in an Access database. By collecting the data in a digital format, the town could easily retrieve the data and link it to the sewer map and geographic information system (GIS). As part of the inspection program, an Access database and movie viewer were developed, providing a standardized format for storing and viewing the data without requiring proprietary software or licenses. Based on the conditions of the sewers, defects and recommendations were made which were also linked to the GIS. By going digital, the town employees now have sewer videos, pipe data, inspection observations, defects, and recommendations at their fingertips.