The City of Oakland Park has a wastewater system that is over 70 years old in some areas which requires it to be continually evaluated, maintained and repaired. The majority of the gravity sewer system is below the water table When a crack or deficient joint is located beneath the water table, the result is infiltration of groundwater into the sanitary sewer system (wastewater). Infiltration flows increase during the rainy season and will continue to increase as sea levels rise as projected. Oakland Park's wastewater system is transmission-only; the City pays Fort Lauderdale and Broward County to process wastewater based on metered fees. Infiltration creates higher processing costs for the City by increasing the overall flow of wastewater going out of the City for processing.
One of the most cost effective and least disruptive methods to repair points of ground water infiltration is by grouting. Grout is a dense fluid used to fill gaps in wastewater gravity lines. The City's capital improvement program includes annual funding for sewer system grouting typically in the amount of $300,000 a year.
In addition to continuing contractual work on sewer system improvements, the City is seeking the ability to perform grouting work using City staff. The FY 2022 budget included funding for the purchase of a grouting trailer that will provide staff with the ability to engage in this work in addition to maintaining funding for the larger capital investment in grouting.
The proposed grout trailer is compatible with the City’s CCTV truck, allowing the existing CCTV equipment to be interconnected to the grout equipment to make repairs in-house by City staff. The purchase of the grout trailer aims to make the wastewater system more resilient to climate change and reducing costly and disruptive excavation repairs.