Tempe's Wastewater Collection System

Ever wonder what happens to City water after it is delivered to a home or business? Water that is not consumed by the customer must be taken away through the wastewater collection system. This is an engineered system of underground pipes that range in size from six inches in diameter to 48 inches in diameter. This system collects wastewater from all user points and transports it to a treatment site.

The wastewater collection system is carefully maintained by pressure cleaning the collection system using specialized trucks that scour the insides of the collection mains by using hoses and nozzles to remove build-up grease, grit and roots. This helps assure that the collected water continues to flow downstream to treatment sites.

In addition, the Utility Service Section repairs and installs sewer mains, helps control odors in the collection system, repairs and maintains manholes, paints manholes with pesticide paint to help control roach populations in the system, and televises inspections of the collection system with special cameras to record condition ratings for scheduled repair or replacement purposes. New lines are also televised to assure they are free from defects before the City accepts ownership of them.

The Utility Service Section is responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing approximately 496 miles of collection mains including 8,000 manholes. Additional activities include cleaning 550 miles of mains, televising 35 miles of mains, and painting 2,500 manholes per year for roach control.