Underground utility networks face a number of maintenance challenges, including chronic water intrusion, debris and sediment build-up, and the presence of oil and sheen. Dewatering methods for vaults and manholes are forced to evolve with the Increasing environmental regulations in storm water management, but there are risks and tradeoffs involved. Passive and active protection systems are accessible and can be easily implemented as solutions to certain underground challenges, as illustrated by Dan Parker during this presentation at the USWAG 2015 Decommissioning and Low-Volume Waste Committee Workshop in Detroit, MI. Find more solutions to your underground utility vault and manhole challenges at http://www.ciagent.com.

1. Wastewater
generation and
management
IN UNDERGROUND UTILITY VAULTS AND MANHOLES
Presented by Dan Parker,
CEO & Founder, C.I.Agent Solutions

2. underground
networks
most utilities have
some types of

3. different
challenges
they all have

4. BUT WHYDON’T
UTILITIES WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THEIR
CHALLENGES
WITH UNDERGROUND
NETWORKS?

5. why the
SECRECY?

6. PART
UNDERGROUND NETWORKS
Here’s What We Know
1

7. of electrical transmission
in the U.S. is
currently underground
18%
Source: Edison Electric Institute, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind 2012: An Updated Study on the Undergrounding
of Overhead Power Lines.”

8. An Aging Underground Infrastructure
Until the Great Blizzard of
1888, most of NYC’s
electric was overhead.
Much of the country’s
underground infrastructure
was built in the late 19th to
early 20th centuries, and is
near or even past the end
of its service lives.
Source: Black & Veatch 2014 Strategic Direction Report

9. 80%
20%
Underground
Networks
Manholes Vaults
There are an estimated
underground
manholes
underground
utility vault
per every

10. Inspection
schedules for
vaults/manholes
vary by
NEED &
REGIONAL LOCATION

11. Maintenance & Inspection
schedules
underground room providing
access to energized
equipment, such as
transformers or switchgear
Utility Vaults
year
years
Manholes
inspected
one time
per year,
every
the start and end point of a
run of cables through ducts
or troughs

12. 25%of scheduled inspections are
delayed by an
unforeseen deterrent
Source: Dan Parker’s research and math estimates

13. deteriorating vaults
Deterrents such as
aging infrastructure
because of the

14. Most of the time,
underground
vaults have no
maintenance
problems

15. But when they do,
the most common issues are:
Oil
Debris
Water
• Chronic water
intrusion can
overwhelm
pump
• Water flow
brings debris,
oil & sheen,
and other
pollutants from
the surface
• Sediments
adsorb/carry
hydrophobic
toxins
• From street
runoff
• From leaking
equipment in
the vault
1. Water
2. Debris/Sediment
3. Oil/Sheen

16. PART
WASTEWATER IN VAULTS
Dewatering Risks & Tradeoffs
2

17. What dewatering
methods are there
for wastewater in
vaults? What are
The RISKS and
TRADEOFFS?

18. Donothing
• Bad for
environment
• Negative
public
perception
• Risk heavy
regulatory
penalties
and FINES
Illegallydischarge
• Negative
public
perception
• Risk heavy
regulatory
penalties
and FINES Vacuumtruck
• Expensive
to pump and
process
wastewater
• Time
consuming
• Wasted
productivity
Automatedpumpingsystem
• Correct
components
must be
present to
avoid
pumping
contaminants
into storm
drain
• Risk of pump
failure
• Regular
inspections/
maintenance
required
FilterSock
• Positive
public
perception
• Reduces
non-
productive
time of
routine
maintenance
• Lower
overhead &
operation
costs
Options for dewatering underground vaults and manholes:
Risks & Tradeoffs …

19. Where there is
energized
equipment, should
there also be a
pump
for wastewater?
Yes!
And WHY is that?

20. don’t MIX
because
water & electricity
Source: New York Post article “Underground transformer fire forces evacuations”; Jan. 6, 2014

21. Deron B. Oberkorn
Product Development Manager
Zoeller Pumps

22. • Typical sump pumps
can process
spherical solids sized
½” to ¾” or smaller
• About the size of a marble
• Anything larger or elongated
will clog the pump
• Items that typically
clog/burn up pumps
• Sand
• Gravel
• Cleaning wipes
• Trash
Debris & Sediment

23. • No one-pump-fits-
all
• Examples:
• Improper power/size
• Not designed for short
cycling
• Misapplied electric
Incorrect Applications

24. PART
Underground solutions
Passive Protection Systems
3

25. Vault Sump Filter systems
• Complete filtration system protects pump from sediment,
debris, oil & sheen
• Components can be used separately or as part of
one complete system
• Designed to protect any pump
• Available in round & square (paneled) configurations
White perforated
Polypropylene, 0.125 gauge,
3,175 micron holes on ⁄3
16”
centers
Filter Housing

26. Debris & Silt Vault Sump Filter
White Nylon Monofilament fabric
filters to 100 micron
Durable, washable & reusable
100µ = .00394 inches, is
the average diameter of a
strand of human hair, and
the length of a dust particle
Did you know?

27. Agent-Q Oil & Sheen Filter
Four layers of patented* Agent-Q,
a unique, non-woven composite
fabric structure embedded with
C.I.Agent Polymers** for oil
solidifications that prevents oil from
reaching the pump
One layer of Agent-Q flows 400
gallons/minute/m2
Average grab strength of a nominal
60 pounds (ASTM D5034 testing)
and a burst strength of a nominal
70 psi (ASTM D3786 testing)
*U.S. Patent No. 8,986,822
**C.I.Agent Solidifying Polymers are listed in the EPA National Contingency Plan Product Schedule* for oil
cleanup and are effective in temperatures ranging from -30°F to +130°F.

28. • Temporary structural vault shoring
systems
• Designed to mitigate potential failure risks in
underground structures while waiting for
repair/replacement
• Not a permanent solution
Source: Strongwell® EXTREN STRUCTURAL FIBERGLASS VAULT SHORING COMPONENTS brochure

29. PART
Underground solutions
Active Protection Systems
4

30. EVAC Filtration System
Absorbs hydrocarbons
Removes large & fine sediment
Polishes the water

31. EVAC Filtration System
Comes with 2” male cam lock
quick connect fitting in a 6.5
gallon UN certified pail

32. Dewatering system add-ons
Enhancements to solve ANY
vault and manhole challenge
Super
Sediment
Filter
EVAC Lite
EVAC Lite Plus

33. EVAC Lite with Agent-Q
Combo Vinyl Filter Casing w/
Super Sediment Filter and an EVAC
Vinyl Filter Casing
w/ Super Sediment Filter
Vinyl Filter Casing
Dewatering system add-ons
Enhancements to solve ANY
vault and manhole challenge

34. C.I.Agent Solutions is a global leader in solutions for SPCC secondary
containment compliance, vault and manhole maintenance, and hydrocarbon
filtering needs. We’re constantly creating new and innovative solutions to tackle
whatever challenges arise within the markets we serve. Have a hydrocarbon
management challenge? We will create a solution.
www.ciagent.com

35. QUESTIONS?
www.ciagent.com