Infiltration and inflow cause hydraulic overload; which outcome is most likely?

• A. Sewer Back Up Into Homes
• B. Proliferation Of Odor In The Sewer
• C. Sewer Expansion
• D. Optimization Of The Sewer System

Answer: (A)

Excess water entering the sewer from infiltration and inflow raises the volume the system must carry. When rainfall or snowmelt pushes more water into the sewer than it was designed to handle, the flow becomes overloaded. With limited capacity, wastewater can’t move quickly enough, so pressure builds and the liquid can back up through the sewer and into homes via fixtures and basement drains. That backflow into residences is the most likely outcome during wet weather. Odors can increase in sewers under overload, but the immediate issue most people notice is backups in their homes. Expanding or optimizing the sewer system would be actions to address overload, not the direct result of it.