Purpose of Campaign

"The More You Know, The Better The Flow" is the name of the Water Authority's public education campaign, which provides information on what the Water Authority is doing to reduce the risk of sewer overflows, and how sewer customers can help in this effort. The Web pages featuring Piper, the "Otter" Authority, as well as the Flash animation on the main campaign page, provide information on sewer overflow reduction. Please take a few moments to watch the animation and read through these documents, because "The More You Know, The Better The Flow."

The Water Authority is proud to convey and fully treat 40 million gallons of wastewater every day. In order to maintain the sanitary sewer system and reduce sewer overflows, the Water Authority:

• Conducts routine repairs and updates to the 905-mile sewer collection infrastructure, including replacement of faulty manhole covers and cracked or deteriorating sanitary sewer pipes.
• Allocated $50 million to expand and renovate the Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant, a project that was completed in 2007. This work increased the capacity of the plant and allows more wastewater to be treated.
• Conducts an ongoing Collection System Evaluation Study (CSES). The CSES pinpoints problems in specific sewer sheds, tracks wastewater volume carried by each sewer shed and monitors rainfall impact on each part of the system.
• Operates its own wastewater "detective agency," the Sanitary Sewer Evaluation and Rehabilitation (SSE/R) unit of the Wastewater Operations Division, to carry out the CSES and ensure day-to-day proper functioning of the system.
• Tests improvement scenarios using a computer model of the wastewater system. This process helps prioritize and ensure longevity and success of repairs.
• Return to the main campaign page to learn what you can do to help as well.