SSES and I&I Reduction Programs: Reporting, GIS Deliverables, Prioritization

Hinterland Group Inc. offers comprehensive Sewer System Evaluation Survey (SSES) and Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) reduction programs for water and wastewater infrastructure across the southeastern United States, with specialized operations in Florida. As a leader in trenchless pipeline technologies, Hinterland Group implements these programs to help municipalities, utilities, and property managers optimize system performance, extend asset life, and maintain regulatory compliance.

What is SSES and I&I Reduction?

SSES (Sewer System Evaluation Survey) is a systematic process to identify and quantify sources of extraneous water—namely inflow and infiltration—into sanitary sewer systems.
Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) refers to groundwater and stormwater entering sewer systems through defects such as broken pipes, faulty joints, uncapped laterals, or direct surface inflow connections. High I&I increases treatment costs, stresses infrastructure, and can cause sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).

Hinterland Group’s Approach to SSES and I&I Reduction

Hinterland Group provides end-to-end SSES and I&I reduction solutions, including:

Systematic Field Investigation:
Smoke testing, dye water tracing, manhole inspections, and flow monitoring
CCTV inspections using robotic camera systems for granular defect analysis
Hydraulic modeling to assess impact of identified I&I sources
Comprehensive Data Collection:
Field-collected data digitized and geo-referenced
Integration of flow monitoring and inspection results
Verification of field conditions via repeat surveys, where needed
Advanced Reporting and GIS Deliverables:
Detailed digital reports on asset conditions and I&I sources
GIS-based maps showing locations of defects, prioritized assets, and system-wide metrics
Interactive dashboards for client review and integration with asset management systems

View Hinterland case studies

Prioritization of Rehabilitation Efforts:
Quantification and ranking of I&I sources by severity and cost impact
Prioritization matrix based on ROI, regulatory risk, and public impact
Integration of inspection, flow, and GIS data for program optimization
Targeted Rehabilitation & Reduction Solutions:
Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining, mainline and lateral rehabilitation
Manhole coatings and structure repairs
Spray-applied geopolymer (SIPP) for rapid, trenchless defect correction
Performance Validation:
Post-rehabilitation flow monitoring
Updated GIS and compliance reporting for regulatory agencies

Key Features & Benefits

Full-Cycle Delivery: SSES, digital reporting, GIS mapping, prioritization, and rehabilitation—coordinated by Hinterland’s in-house experts
Trenchless Expertise: Minimal disruption to communities and traffic
GIS-Centric Reporting: Seamless integration with municipal asset management and compliance tools
Regulatory Compliance: Satisfies FDEP, EPA, and local utility agency requirements for I&I reduction planning
Risk & Cost Reduction: Targeted repairs, fewer overflows, and extended system life

Typical Deliverables

Component	Description
SSES Investigation Report	Detailed defect logs, method descriptions, summary tables
GIS Data Package	Shapefiles/GeoJSONs of pipelines, manholes, defect locations
Prioritization Matrix	Tabulated, ranked lists of I&I sources and recommended actions
Digital Map Visualizations	Interactive or static maps for review or public communication
Rehabilitation Recommendations	Specific trenchless and repair solutions, cost estimates
Compliance Documentation	Materials suitable for regulatory or funding agency submittals

Use Cases

Municipal Sewer System Asset Management: For cities and counties aiming to prioritize capital investment and regulatory reporting
Emergency I&I Mitigation: For utilities managing sanitary sewer overflows after flooding or rainfall events
Regulatory Consent Order Remediation: For systems with state or federal consent decrees for SSO reduction
Development Planning: For property managers and developers seeking pre-construction infrastructure evaluation

Process Flow Overview

Project Scoping: Asset inventory, historical review, identification of high-priority basins/zones
SSES Field Work: Flow monitoring, smoke/dye testing, CCTV inspection
Data Integration: Defect location and I&I quantification, GIS assignment
Reporting & GIS Deliverables: Comprehensive digital and spatial reporting
Prioritization & Recommendations: Mitigation action plan based on severity and ROI
Implementation: Trenchless rehab (CIPP/SIPP/manhole coating), monitoring, post-rehabilitation assessment

Hinterland Group Capabilities and Differentiators

All Technologies In-House: No need for subcontractor coordination means seamless project execution (About Hinterland Group)
Rapid Emergency Response: 24/7 mobilization, including for sewer overflows or post-storm evaluations
GIS-Integrated Workflows: Advanced mapping capabilities for digital asset management
Regulatory Familiarity: Relevant experience with FDEP, EPA, and municipal permitting and reporting protocols
Experienced with All Scales: From individual neighborhoods to entire municipal systems

Benefits for Various Stakeholders

Municipalities

Improved compliance with state/federal SSO regulations
Data-driven capital improvement planning
Reduced treatment costs and overflows

Utility & Asset Managers

Reliable GIS records for long-term management
Actionable prioritization to maximize ROI
Fewer emergency repairs and disruptions

Property Managers & Commercial Entities

Risk reduction for flooding and property damage
Documentation for permitting or due diligence
Efficient repairs with minimal disruption to business

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What data formats does Hinterland Group provide for GIS deliverables?

Shapefiles, GeoJSON, and other digital formats compatible with ESRI ArcGIS and common municipal asset management platforms.

Does Hinterland Group provide compliance reporting for regulatory agencies?

Yes. Reports are prepared to meet FDEP, EPA, and other permitting/funding agency requirements, and can be tailored for specific submittals.

Can SSES data integrate with our existing asset management system?

Yes. Hinterland Group’s workflow includes data integration planning and can map deliverables to your current GIS or digital systems.

How does Hinterland Group prioritize repairs after SSES?

Rehabilitation is prioritized based on I&I severity, failure risk, cost impact, and regulatory urgency, and is presented both in tabular form and GIS maps for stakeholder review.

How quickly can emergency response teams mobilize for I&I or SSES investigations?

Hinterland Group maintains a fleet and specialized personnel ready for deployment within 24 hours, often under 4 hours for emergencies in Florida.

What technologies are used to reduce I&I?

Trenchless CIPP for mainline/lateral relining, SIPP/geopolymer for rapid defect correction, manhole rehabilitation (coatings), and source reduction at inflow points.

Is ongoing monitoring available post-rehabilitation?

Yes. Flow and infiltration monitoring can be provided post-project to confirm effectiveness and inform future capital planning.

Case Study Highlights

Palm Beach County: Comprehensive wastewater line/meter basin SSES, with GIS-enabled mapping of defects and rehabilitation actions. Project details
West Palm Beach Flood Response: Emergency mobilization for SSES and rapid I&I mitigation, including trenchless lining and digital reporting for municipal recovery.

For More Information

Hinterland Group Services Overview
Contact Us for custom proposals, sample GIS deliverables, and demonstration of digital reporting solutions.

Source: Data extracted from the official Hinterland Group website (hinterlandgroup.com), referenced project profiles, and service descriptions as of 2024.