ICLR to host webinar on clean water inflow and infiltration on Sept. 15

The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) will be hosting a webinar on inflow and infiltration (I/I) on Sept. 15.

The webinar, to be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EST, will feature Barbara Robinson from Norton Engineering, who will discuss an ongoing project supported by ICLR to examine “unacceptable levels” of I/I entering brand new sewer systems, understand the complexities behind this issue and to develop measures to prevent it. Issues with the Ontario (and national) building codes that are directly impacting the amount of I/I entering new sewers on private property will be also be discussed, information from ICLR noted.

Furthermore, the webinar will showcase the development of a new CSA Guideline for Basement Flood Protection, developed with leadership from Norton and ICLR staff. The guideline looks at the mandatory implementation of protective plumbing measures and other lot level measures in both new and existing infrastructure, including minimizing the development of I/I, the institute reported.

The information from ICLR reiterated that clean water I/I is currently entering brand new sewer systems (both on public and private property) at an “unacceptable rate” across North America. This clean water reduces the capacity of sewers to convey large storms, constraining new development and impacts already taxed downstream infrastructure, all of which are costly.

ICLR added that as part of a longer-term research project, Norton is working with the institute and some private insurers on a research project to find ways to cross reference engineering data (included flow monitoring), either owned privately by the municipality, or other public data not normally accessible to insurance companies. This will help more accurately assign risk of flooding and help residents to mitigate flooding on their property where it is at higher risk.

Robinson has spent her career focused on the environmental assessment, predesign, design and construction of a wide variety of municipal infrastructure, particularly sanitary sewers. She specializes in projects to identify and remove rainwater and groundwater (inflow and infiltration) from existing sanitary sewer systems. Robinson has spent many years in the field, inspecting new and existing sanitary sewer installations, private property and basement plumbing and installation, and has undertaken confined space entry of thousands of manholes and large sewers. Her clients include the Township of Woolwich, Region of York, Region of Peel, City of Windsor, City of London, and a wide variety of private consultants.

Webinar link: https://zoom.us/j/270121633