The Sewer Division provides maintenance and improvements to the City’s sewer collection systems. The sanitary sewer system is approximately 120 miles in length and the storm water collection system is approximately 163 miles. The responsibilities of the Sewer division include replacing or repairing storm inlets and manholes, inspecting and cleaning inlets, and televising and cleaning sewer lines. By maintaining the several hundred miles of storm and sanitary sewers, this division helps to ensure that outgoing water is transported safely to its designated location.

Routine Sanitary Sewer Cleaning

City crews perform routine cleaning operations on the sanitary sewers throughout the year. This is done to remove tree roots and debris from the sanitary sewer system. This process will improve sewer performance and reduce the chance of sewer backups and other related problems.

The cleaning process causes a vacuum in the sewer, which will not affect most homes. However, some homes may experience problems with inadequate or partially blocked drain vents. The vacuum may cause “P-traps” (the s-shaped bend in the pipe under sinks and drains) to be sucked dry. Residents who notice a sewer smell are advised to run a small amount of water in their drains to refill these traps. Residents may also notice a bubbling or gurgling noise during cleaning operations.

Most of the City’s sanitary sewer system is cleaned on a 3-year cycle. Some locations in the City are cleaned as often as 3 months, depending on conditions in the area.

If you have any questions about the sewer maintenance program, please call Leif Dickinson, Sewer Division Foreman at 847-432-0807.

Swimming Pool Drainage Guidelines

Residents are reminded of the Highland Park City Code requirements pertaining to the discharge of water from residential swimming pools. The North Shore Sanitary District considers pool water to be contaminated wastewater, and as such, it must be drained or discharged into a sanitary sewer. During spring and fall maintenance, pool water should be drained into the house sanitary sewer, or a City sanitary sewer manhole located in the public right-of-way. If a City sanitary sewer is used for discharge, it is the responsibility of the homeowner, or designated pool contractor, to properly barricade and secure the area around the sanitary sewer manhole.

Discharge of swimming pool water into storm sewer systems, or any ravine, either public or private, is strictly prohibited. For more information on the City's new pool drainage requirements, contact Plumbing Inspector Tim Neargarder at 847-926-1167. For appropriate draining locations, please call Public Works at 847-432-0807.

Public Works Department Cleans Up on Savings with 'Vactor'

Just like dishes and cars, sewer pipes need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of grime on their walls. When grime is allowed to build up, a pipe's flow is reduced and the chance of cracks and leaks is increased. Recently, the City of Highland Park purchased a Vactor. This machine is currently making its rounds throughout the city cleaning each sewer pipe every three years. Pipes requiring special attention are visited more frequently. The Vactor cleans each pipe by blasting jets of water onto the grime from an angle that propels the grime out of the pipe into the pipe's manhole. Once it settles into the manhole, the Vactor's vacuum removes grime so it can be properly disposed of.

Members of the Public Works Department operate the Vactor, a 20-ton truck that periodically cleanses the City's sewer system, ultimately improving flow. Such efforts also serve to prevent pipeline damage, thereby reducing the need for costly infrastructure repair.

The Vactor weighs about 40,000 pounds, not including the 2000 gallons of water that it normally transports. The tandem axle truck also has 1,000 feet of hose and holds up to twelve cubic yards of debris.

This combination truck has proved to be extremely economical for the Public Works Department. Formerly, it took two trucks to clean the sewers, one for hosing and another for vacuuming. Now, the Vactor alone accomplishes both tasks. Presently, the Vactor is a regular sight on City streets, as it is utilized five days a week. For further information, contact Bill Stewart, Public Works Superintendent, at (847) 432-0807.

Public Works Scopes Savings With TV Truck

Rapid advancements in technology have made it easier to visually access areas that previously could not be reached, such as the City's sewers. Recently, the City purchased a new van equipped with television monitors and a sewer accessible video camera. The video camera is mounted on tracks, like those of a tank, and after being loaded into a sewer pipe through a manhole, crawls through the pipes.

This remotely operated camera and tractor are able to trek through pipes ranging from 6" to 24" in diameter, for distances of up to 900'. The camera's head can rotate a full 360 degrees, enabling the observer a view of the pipe and the various sewer service connections. The camera is also able to take color photos of the pipe. Color is beneficial because green dye is added to problematic pipes to identify cracks and leaks. By placing a camera in the pipe at a suspected fault point, an operator can inspect the pipe using the video monitor and produce a picture of the area in question.

This tractor is 2 feet in length and contains interchangeable tracks, allowing it to remain centered in pipes up to 24 inches in diameter.

The cable located at the rear of the tractor transmits information back to the computer monitor housed in the van, where a video recorder allows the operator to control the camera tractor.

In addition to containing a video monitor, the vehicle is also equipped with a computer, so that accurate records of the locations and conditions of City pipes can be developed "on line." The computer records the history of the pipe, its size, material type, age, repair history, and when it was last cleaned. It even reminds the user when a specific pipe is scheduled for maintenance.

Sewer locations and pipe data can also be downloaded into the City's GIS (Geographic Information System, a computer program that maps aerial photographs and utilities by layers), where it is overlaid with schematics of water lines, other utilities, existing infrastructure, and terrestrial features.

Formerly, the City used equipment that was purchased in 1973 and although components were upgraded over time, it still took two men to operate the system. The new equipment, including the specially-equipped van, is utilized on a daily basis, and operates effectively with only one person.

Contact Information
Bill Stewart, Public Works Superintendent
1150 Half Day Road
Highland Park IL 60035
Phone: (847) 432-0807