The Wastewater Collection Division’s nationally recognized sewer maintenance program includes physical inspection and closed circuit television monitoring to identify specific sewer lines that need cleaning. Wastewater Collection routinely schedules line maintenance either quarterly or semiannually depending on the condition of the sewer line. These lines are cleaned by using specialty equipment, such as sewer rodders and pressure cleaners, to remove blockages caused by tree root intrusion and accumulation of heavy greases – the two major causes of sewer backups into private homes. Visual inspection and routine sewer cleaning help reduce the number of backups and overflows in the sanitary sewer system.

Similarly, planned preventive maintenance of the sewage pumping stations allows for around-the-clock operation without any service interruption.

Manhole Raising

Wastewater Collection performs sanitary sewer manhole repair and casting adjustment for street paving activities. Manhole covers are 24 inches in diameter and are engraved on top with “Fairfax County Sewer.” They are typically located in the middle of the street or in wooded areas near a stream. If you see anyone tampering with a manhole cover or if you observe an overflowing sanitary sewer manhole, please report it by calling our 24-Hour Trouble Response Center at 703-323-1211, TTY 711.

Pipe Repair and Rehabilitation

Wastewater Collection repairs damaged and deteriorating sanitary sewer lines and manholes. Since the early 1990s Wastewater Collection has implemented an ongoing program to rehabilitate the wastewater collection system by relining sewer lines and renovating pumping stations. Ongoing sewer rehabilitation not only prolongs the infrastructure life of the wastewater collection system – by as much as 50 years – but also significantly reduces stormwater infiltration and inflow. Trenchless technologies, such as cured-in-place, fold-and-form, and robotic point repair are used for sewer rehabilitation. 

Closed Circuit Television

The Wastewater Collection Division’s Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) section is responsible for inspection of all sewer lines using remote controlled closed circuit television cameras. Severely deteriorated sewer lines identified by CCTV inspection are rehabilitated by using state-of-the-art trenchless technologies.