Wastewater sewer lines that have cracks, breaks, root intrusion and defects may allow which of the following?

• A. Inflow
• B. Infiltration
• C. Inverted Siphon
• D. Calcification

Answer: (B)

Cracks, breaks, and root intrusion in sewer lines create openings through which groundwater can seep into the pipe. That unintentional entry of groundwater is called infiltration, and root intrusion is a common way it happens. Inflow, by contrast, is surface water entering the sewer system through manholes, improper connections, or storm drains, not through cracks in the pipe. An inverted siphon is a hydraulic condition related to pressure and elevation changes, not pipe defects. Calcification is mineral buildup inside the pipe, not water entering through cracks. So the defects described mainly allow infiltration.