"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Modern Oracle

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Water in, water out. Money in,money out. Easy-peasy...":

I know that you like to think that your many years of experience on council means that you know better than most, but I doubt that you are a civil engineer.

 Your statement:
"That is, if it is proven ground water is infiltrating.

You would think if ground water filters into a pipe, it would also filter out of the pipe."


 Hydraulic pressure is what forces ground water into the sewer pipe. That is the pressure of water and the surrounding soil that pushes the water into the concrete. Concrete, while very strong, is also somewhat prone to allowing leakage from hydraulic pressure. There is no hydraulic pressure on the inside of the pipe, as the pipe serves as a conduit to carry away the waste water.

If you were to ask the questions, or do the research, you will also find that no one is "cutting into pipes". They enter through maintenance holes - already in there for "MAINTENANCE".

I know you hate this expense, but I think maintenance now for a further 50 years of service is an investment in our taxpayers' future. Neither you or I will be around then, so consider it a legacy.


**************

I read the post again to see where I might have given the impression  I am a civil engineer and I know more than most .

Most of the post  is about questions asked and not answered.

If  a fiberglass liner keeps groundwater from seeping into sewer pipes, why are sewer pipes not made with with fibreglass liners? Why should they be inserted after the fact at additional cost to taxpayers of millions of dollars.

We've been doing it for ten years. 

The theory has never been proven . There is no method for  doing so.

Even it it worked, why would  prevention of ground water entering the sewer pipe be considered  maintenance ?

Sewers  have been  transporting sewage for hundreds of years.
It's a  simple process. Not much to improve upon.

Storm sewers run alongside sanitary sewers. Their  purpose  to carry away rain water and snow melt to  streams and rivers.

Storm water ponds are constructed at a cost of  millions of dollars , theoretically to  catch water running off roofs and roads,  and remove sediments before they reach the creeks and rivers.

The objective is to cleanse lakes which are polluted in the main by agricultural fertilizers and organic waste from rural areas. 

A bucket and spade,,, a sandy beach and a body of water is enough to teach even the youngest child  the basic principle of how water flows.  

On the other hand, threading a  fiberglass liner inside a pipe to stop water from seeping  from outside,  now that's really complicated science. 

Only civil engineers can be expected to understand why taxpayers money needs to be spent that way.

A paternal pat on the head is all the average elected representative 
needs to be assured  public funds are being spent wisely

Heaven forbid  the modern oracles should be challenged. to justify nonsensical  and extravagant theories.     

6 comments:

Michael Suddard said...

A simple answer to the construction of water / sewer pipes would be the recent project along Yonge Street from King Road northwards. There were pipes last fall on the side of the road.

What did the Region's and/or Town of Richmond Hill's tender requirements call for on these pipes?

Anonymous said...

Just keep on challenging. It frequently brings results.

Anonymous said...

But more often ignored or dismissed, 9:55 AM.

Anonymous said...

"I read the post again to see where I might have given the impression I am a civil engineer and I know more than most"

don't underestimate yourself , you have uncovered enough BS over the last few years to make any engineer blush,

Anonymous said...

Mr Suddard,

When you read this at the local Tim Hortons or Starbucks or whatever restaurant(s) you go to today (does your home have a kitchen by chance?), you will take note the pipes you are referring to are STORM SEWER pipes. VERY different than sanitary sewer.

Michael Suddard said...

"When you read this at the local Tim Hortons or Starbucks or whatever restaurant(s) you go to today (does your home have a kitchen by chance?), you will take note the pipes you are referring to are STORM SEWER pipes. VERY different than sanitary sewer."

Not sure where I eat has to do with it, but thanks for reading my blog entries.

I just noted that Richmond Hill just completed a water replacement system along Yonge Street in a neighbouring municipality that might provide some important information To be clear I'm not sure if sewage and/or water pipes were involved but know something was as I passed by the project frequently in September to see the large pipes at the side of the road. If they were a different type of pipe, than so be it, but I thought it was worth a look.

I admit not being an engineer or construction worker or have read the tender documentation to know what was entailed on this project either.

Thought I would provide the information to Evelyn so she may inquire with Richmond Hill over this project in her search for the truth on how to measure leakage rates.