The Water Services Department began working with JABAR Corporation [Sewer Sentry] to target the area in most need to begin installing the Sewer Sentry Manhole covers. 15 manhole covers were installed, this included site investigation, manhole inspections and repairs before the installation of the covers. JABAR group [Sewer Sentry] was very professional, organized and quick to complete the project in a timely manner keeping us informed throughout the project. We were unsure if the project could show success due to the limited scope of work. Project was completed in mid-August, and we received the first large rainfall in September as part of Hurricane Delta. It has been estimated that Walker received approximately 4.5 inches of rain in less than 3-4 hours. In the past, the 2 main lift stations in the area where the Sewer Sentry manhole covers were installed would have reached high levels and overflowed after as little as 2 inches of rain.

We were very happy to report that the City has no overflows or high-level alarms during the September event. It is estimated that we reduced our run time from 7 hrs to 2 hrs. Although it is difficult at this time to quantify the amount of saving in specific dollar amounts, it was clear to see the improvements in time and energy. The lift stations pumps ran much less, no man hours were needed for afterhours clean up and no time spent writing additional reporting to DEQ.