Press release
Des Moines, Iowa — Tuesday, August 30, 2022 —Trucks like these are working their way around Des Moines to inspect something you use every day but hardly ever think about.
The Des Moines Department of Public Works has contracted with Ace Pipe Cleaning to send cameras into the maze of sanitary sewers below Des Moines to save the city from expensive, emergency repairs.
“Our city crews are busy on a daily basis fixing backups, overflows and issues,” said the Des Moines Clean Water Program administrator. to make more expensive repairs and protect our residents before they have problems that put their property at risk.”
Contractors send a motorized camera into the sewer and record conditions in the pipes, providing a status report of sewer lines throughout the city.
“We get a tremendous amount of data from this program,” said Public Works Director Jonathan Gano. “This data allows us to prioritize and schedule projects according to need and anticipated impact so we can more efficiently carry out repairs and keep the sewer system functioning as it should.”
Over the next few summers, all 1,000 miles of sanitary sewer lines will be inspected by contractors.
“You use your sanitary sewer line every time you flush your toilet, wash the dishes or take a shower,” Beane said. “The goal is that you don’t have to think about them because they are invisible, unheard and doing their job correctly.”
