Issues of inflow and infiltration in the City of Washington’s sanitary sewer lines and storm water pipes were discussed at length at the council’s special session meeting Wednesday evening. J.J. Bell, Maintenance and Construction Superintendent, gave a presentation as to the work that has been conducted in an attempt to find the source of the problem. He says that in the past month, approximately 2,100 feet of lines have been televised and smoke tests have been conducted, which turned up 16 storm water inlets where smoke was observed – meaning that this area is likely to have issues. This was done in the area of 8th and 9th Avenues near Van Buren and Taylor streets.

Supervisor Mark Kendall asked how the council can assist Bell with this issue and the need for more manpower was established. City Administrator Brent Hinson said that it is a process of elimination and that the city has probably 50 miles of city sewer pipe, but the city is doing everything it can to alleviate the problem of backed up sewage