The Hidden Savings in Fixing Small Sewer Leaks
- Joe Clifford
- Jul 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Why Repairing Dozens of Minor Infiltration Points Can Unlock Major Budget Relief for Cities and Ratepayers
Small Leaks, Big Consequences
In cities across Washington and Oregon, aging sewer systems are quietly draining public budgets, not from catastrophic failures or collapsed mains, but from hundreds of small, persistent leaks that allow groundwater to
pour into sanitary sewer systems, especially during rainy months.
These leaks often come from:
Manhole wall cracks
Faulty lid seals
Deteriorated boot connections
Unsealed penetrations and joints
Each one might seem minor on its own. But collectively? They can overwhelm pump stations, flood treatment ponds, and spike energy and chemical costs.
What It Costs You
Every gallon of groundwater that leaks into a sanitary sewer system is a gallon that doesn’t belong there. Cities pay to treat that water like sewage.
Over time, this adds up to:
Increased pumping energy costs
More frequent lift station maintenance
Treatment overload at lagoons or plants
Overflow risk during peak rains
Higher sewer rates are passed onto residents
The Solution: Volume Repair = Volume Savings
Instead of waiting for a major failure, cities can realize immediate and long-term savings by proactively fixing dozens of minor leaks.
At JLC Construction Services, we:
Identify leaks fast (often just by opening manhole lids)
Use proven sealing, grouting, and epoxy techniques
Mobilize small, efficient crews at affordable rates
Repairing 50 minor leaks may cost less than one major replacement—and save thousands of dollars every year in treatment and maintenance.
📊 Data-Driven Rehab Planning
Cities can use leak data to plan smarter:
Prioritize fixes with the highest I&I impact
Document work to support grant and budget requests
Track ROI through reduced pump time or treatment volume
Leak logs and manhole maps help tie visible improvements to actual savings—building a case for further reinvestment.
📅 Get Ahead of the Rain
Washington's wet season is the ideal time to take action. That’s when infiltration is easiest to see, measure, and stop.
Let us help you:
Inspect your system for active infiltration
Prioritize the worst offenders
Execute fast, affordable repairs
Contact JLC Construction Services
Joe Clifford – Owner/Operator
Serving Washington & Oregon
📞 971-272-9172
WA CCB# JLCCOCS756KG
Small leaks add up. Let’s stop them—and stretch your ratepayer dollars further
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