The Trust would like to thank the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, especially Chief Engineer John Sullivan and Deputy Director of Engineering Services
Paul Barden, for generously providing these movies. They are a demonstration of one of the important tools used by the Commission to investigate potentially leaking storm sewers so that they can be repaired. Although the sewers shown are not located in the area where vulnerable wood piling foundations are found, the videos clearly show how groundwater can enter into a storm sewer below the water table and be carried away. The problem of infiltration can potentially apply to any structure below the water table, including basements, parking garages, and highway, rail, subway, and utility tunnels. Whenever groundwater is pumped away from one of those structures, it can have the effect of lowering groundwater levels in nearby areas. BWSC’s commitment to investigation and repair of these leaks, which also increase wastewater treatment costs for the entire system, has put them in a leadership role in working to solve the problem.
Note: videos often play better if they are fully downloaded first, using a right-click option.
