Using distributed temperature sensing (DTS) for locating and characterising infiltration and inflow into foul sewers before, during and after snowmelt period

Abstract

Infiltration and inflow (I/I) into sewers cause negative effects on the sewer system, wastewater treatment plant and environment. Identifying the causes and locating the inflows is necessary in order to address the I/I problem. This paper focuses on using distributed temperature sensing (DTS) for identifying, locating and characterising I/I into a sewer system during the end of winter-beginning of summer transition period under dry and wet weather conditions. During snowmelt, several locations with I/I were identified, while these locations did not show I/I during storm events after the snowmelt. In addition, during a very heavy storm after the snowmelt period, I/I was found at other locations. Therefore, DTS was demonstrated to be effective in identifying the type of I/I and in locating I/I. Finally, I/I monitoring campaigns in cold climates should take into account the variety of pathways of I/I during snowmelt and during rainfall.