Cut Cost Not Roots! Eliminating SSOs With Chemical Root Control
How maintenance issues become political issues
Chemical Root Control Roots entering a wastewater conveyance system is the number one contributing factor in causing SSO
How Roots Grow Roots grow from the tips hydrotropism The tips are comprised of tender primary tissue called meristem cells Roots elongate by adding one cell at a time at the meristem Roots themselves are not aquatic plants they grow in the crown of the pipe above the water line
The ultimate pipe burster The cap of the root is designed to penetrate soil or sewer pipes Roots penetrate pipes one cell at a time An opening less than the width of a human hair
Why do roots want in sewers?
Roots Follow Vapor/Nutrient Trail
Once in the Pipe Roots Have Everything They Need to Flourish Nitrogen Potassium Phosphate
Know your enemy! Tap Root Lateral Roots Common sense - different species of trees & shrubs will produce different root characteristics
Know your enemy! Tap Root Cottonwood strong, stringy & hard to cut roots Lateral Roots
Know your enemy! Tap Root Maples thick clumping roots that can easily block main lines Lateral Roots
Know your enemy! Tap Root Willows tend to run once inside, especially problematic for lateral connections, affect lining projects Lateral Roots
Know your enemy! Tap Root Conifers All of the worst characteristics hearty, woody and sappy Lateral Roots
Effective Root Management Categorize and Strategize Categorizing or rating root intrusions is helpful. The scale is not as important as the consistency 1-10 scale (%) Light/Medium/Heavy Light, Medium, Heavy
Locate Your Root Problems Proactively
Diagnose With CCTV Inspection It is important to inspect sewer pipes that have never been chemically treated prior to treatment.
Effective Root Management Document Your Findings Modern GIS software is very useful!
Mechanical Removal Necessary if root intrusion is heavy, dense and may cause a stoppage soon.
Root Cutting Benefits INITIALLY, One of the least expensive methods since it can be done while the pipeline is being cleaned. No specialized equipment needed (except root cutting nozzles and truck) It is a quick temporary fix
Root Cutting Nozzles
Mechanical Removal has Drawbacks Mechanical removal causes: Roots respond to injury by producing the plant hormone abscisic acid which hastens and thickens regrowth.* Pipe damage from mechanical tools and root regrowth Root regrowth can be fast and difficult to predict, leading to potential SSOs and future replacement Trenchless? *http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/license/pubs/sewrline.pdf
Cost Mechanical removal of tree roots will get more and more costly over time as frequency increases
Pipeline Repairs Benefits Permanent
Can Re-Lining Stop Roots?
Liners Benefits Can correct multiple root problems in a section of pipeline Permanent
Liners Challenges Usually done by an outside contractor Reduces the inside diameter of pipe Pipeline must be thoroughly cleaned before installation Pipeline must be CCTV to locate laterals By-pass Pumping during liner installation Possible failure of the lining if not properly installed Roots can grow between the pipe and liner Cutting out the laterals
Cultural Control Trees could be removed to prevent root problems
Is Removing the Tree Practical? It may require damaging private property The cost of digging up a tree is very high Trees are an asset to the environment and the beauty of our cities.
Chemical Root Control
Advantages of Chemical Control GREAT Cost/Benefit Prevents future growth of roots Prevents future damage of infrastructure Prevents I/I increase Predictable results
To Chemically Control Roots: An EFFECTIVE chemical A dense, mechanically generated foam application Trained, licensed personnel or qualified contractor Follow Up Inspection
Professional Herbicidal Foams Penetrates grease Completely coats roots Remains in contact with roots
How to treat service laterals?
Mini Foamer
The New Generation of Root Control Foam Machines Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
The Jet-Set Commander Series Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
If you can push a button you can perform root control Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
Touch Screen Operation Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
Place the machine in the receiver hitch and make some foam Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
Purging Water Before Foaming
Nozzle Foaming
Foaming Manhole
Foam that fills the pipe completely comes in contact with roots.
Before and After Pictures 10/24/2007
10/24/2007
Root Control Cost Now that you understand the application process let s take a look at the cost of cutting versus chemical root control.
General System Survey City of San Jose Root Control Methods Analysis Survey General System Survey Questions Question Answer Feet What is the total size of the sanitary sewer system? 2,300 12,144,000 Is this in miles or feet? Miles Miles What percentage of the system has light root intrusion? 10% 1,214,400 What percentage of the system has moderate root intrusion? 10% 1,214,400 What percentage of the system has heavy root intrusion? 10% 1,214,400 The values above sum to a total root intrusion percent of: 30% 3,643,200 This means that the sum of your system with no roots is: 70% 8,500,800 What percentage of your system with no root intrusion would you estimate increases to light intrusion each year? 5% 425,040 What percentage of your system described as "light root intrusion" would you estimate increases to moderate each year? 5% 60,720 What percentage of your system described as "moderate root intrusion" would you estimate increases to heavy each year? 2% 24,288
Cutting Survey Cutting Methods Survey Questions Question Answer What is the average feet per day for cutting roots? 1000 How many crew members are typically on a cutting crew? 2 What is the daily labor and benefit cost of a cutting crew? $600.00 What is the daily cost of operating the equipment used? $200.00 What is the approximate cost per foot for cutter consumables? $0.10 The values above result in a cutting cost per foot of: $0.90 How many times per year do you cut the portion of your system described as having "light root intrusion"? 0.5 How many times per year do you cut the portion of your system described as having "moderate root intrusion"? 1.0 How many times per year do you cut the portion of your system described as having "heavy root intrusion"? 2.0
Chemical Root Control Vaporooter Methods Survey Questions Question Answer What is the average feet per day for applying Vaporooter? 4000 How many crew members are typically on a Vaporooter crew? 2 What is the daily labor and benefit cost of a jetter crew? $600.00 What is the daily cost of operating the equipment used? $200.00 What is the cost per foot of Vaporooter? $0.30 The values above result in a Vaporooter cost per foot of: $0.50 To achieve your desired objectives we recommend that you treat the following percentages of the system: Light Root Intrustion Treatment Percentage 50% Moderate Root Intrusion Treatment Percentage 50% Heavy Root Intrusion Treatment Percentage 50% Based on the treatment rates above a conservative estimate of the root intrusion category results as follows: Light Root Intrustions Percentage Change -10% Moderate Root Intrusion Percentage Change -25% Heavy Root Intrusion Percentage Change -50% Vaporooter contractor price per foot for comparison purposes $1.50 Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
Year Cutting In-House Contractor 1 $3,825,360 $910,800 $2,732,400 2 $3,951,050 $652,740 $1,958,220 3 $4,081,714 $492,591 $1,477,773 4 $4,217,573 $387,356 $1,162,067 5 $4,358,860 $314,228 $942,684 6 $4,505,819 $260,806 $782,418 7 $4,658,707 $220,124 $660,371 8 $4,817,792 $188,109 $564,326 9 $4,983,353 $162,270 $486,810 10 $5,155,686 $141,010 $423,029 Total $44,555,914 $3,730,032 $11,190,096 Vaporooter refers to Sanafoam Vaporooter II which is a Restricted Use Pesticide
Annual Cost in Millions Root Control Methods Analysis of Annual Operating Cost $6.0 $5.0 $4.0 $3.8 $4.0 $4.1 $4.2 $4.4 $4.5 $4.7 $4.8 $5.0 $5.2 $3.0 $2.7 $2.0 $1.0 $- $2.0 $1.5 $1.2 $0.9 $0.8 $0.7 $0.6 $0.5 $0.9 $0.4 $0.7 $0.5 $0.4 $0.3 $0.3 $0.2 $0.2 $0.2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 $0.1 10 Year Cutting In-House Contractor
Leading Agencies In California Are Already Enjoying The Success!
Questions?