13 August 2008
City West Water is using the latest in close circuit television (CCTV) technology to inspect the sewer pipes serving the Melbourne Cricket Ground to ensure they can handle the increased load during this year’s AFL final series.
A CCTV camera is mounted on a miniature four wheel drive tractor, which provides an all terrain access.
The tractor is lowered five metres into the sewer and is manoeuvred along the pipe by remote control and relays 360 degree images back to a monitor screen in a nearby truck.
The images give engineers the chance to find defects, such as cracks or blocks, which could cause problems during times of heavy use and schedule necessary repairs.
City West Water’s Managing Director, Anne Barker, said while the work wasn’t glamorous, it was crucial to help avoid major sewer blocks or leaks.
”The eyes of the country are on Melbourne during the AFL finals series, and the matches attract capacity crowds,” Ms Barker said.
“Sewage flows can increase more than eight times than normal during half time on grand final day, so it is really important the pipes are in top shape to deal with the half time dash of up to 95,000 footy fans.”
City West Water inspects around 40 kilometres of sewer using the CCTV technology each year, including pipes serving other major venues including Flemington Racecourse, Telstra Dome, and the Rod Laver Arena.
It also uses CCTV in suburban areas to investigate sewer blockages.
Ms Barker says the CCTV finds all manner of objects in the sewers.
“We do find a lot of rubbish down in the sewer, such as plastic bottles and bags, parts of shopping trolleys and children’s toys. We've even had a sewer blockage caused by a GI Joe doll,” Ms Barker said.
“Sewers are a vital part of the city’s infrastructure which we all rely on, so I would encourage people to think about what they are flushing down the toilet and washing down the drain.”
City West Water has more than 3,400 kilometres of sewer pipes across its service area.