[This is an excerpt from GPRS Locates and Maps Significant Sewer Blockages for New York Energy Company’s Environmental Compliance]

During his investigation, Frias noticed a lot of blockages, including something he was shocked to discover.

“I had noticed a lot of sediment had built up within the pipes. A couple of days before I arrived there, they had a big rainstorm,” Frias explained. “The amount of sediment in the pipes is kind of a normal thing on sites like these, but because of that rainstorm, a lot of that sediment had gotten pushed in and there were certain blockages - more so in their storm system. In their ground water system, there was only so much that I could scope because a lot of it was packed with sediment.”

“The most shocking thing that I was able to find was closer to the catch basin that was next to the subsystem that they used. We found a sandbag. It was like those 20- or 30-pound bags that you buy at Home Depot or Lowe's,” Frias continued. “It was lodged in the stormwater pipe, and it basically had backed up the system for the stormwater.”

A large blockage like a 20+ pound sandbag can lead to flooding, which could put the workers, their equipment, and the community they serve at risk. Compromising a site that supplies electricity and gas to a community could lead to widespread disruptions and shutdowns of essential services.

The site had experienced some stormwater overflow in the past year, so Frias’ discovery ensured the client could address the blockages to prevent further damage.

Read the whole article at https://www.gp-radar.com/article/gprs-locates-and-maps-significant-sewer-blockages-for-new-york-energy-companys-environmental-compliance