Maintaining a Healthy Sewer System with CCTV

At Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), we're committed to providing our community high-quality water and sewer services. A big part of that commitment involves using cutting-edge technology to keep our sewer lines in top shape. One of the most effective tools we use for this is Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV). This technology helps us inspect and maintain our sewer system, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently, so you don't have to worry about unexpected disruptions.

How CCTV Works
CCTV cameras are small, durable devices that can be sent into our sewer pipes to get a close-up look at their condition. These cameras are attached to a flexible cable, which allows us to push them through the pipes, providing real-time video of what's happening inside. With CCTV inspections, we can spot issues such as cracks, blockages, or signs of wear before they become major problems.

Why CCTV Inspections are Important
Regular CCTV inspections of our sewer lines help SMWD identify problems early. Small issues-like tree roots invading the pipes, a small crack, or an early-stage blockage-are much easier and cheaper to fix if caught early. By catching these problems before they worsen, we can save everyone time and money while preventing larger issues that could disrupt your service.

Keeping Your Sewer System in Good Shape
CCTV inspections don't just help us detect problems; they also help us plan for the future. By regularly monitoring the condition of our sewer lines, we can prioritize repairs and maintenance, ensuring that we're always one step ahead in keeping the system working efficiently.

This proactive approach helps us prevent costly repairs and emergencies down the road, which means fewer disruptions for you, our valued customers. In fact, using CCTV is a key way to keep sewer maintenance cost-effective and minimize the need for digging up streets or causing disruptions to your daily life.

A Quick Reminder: Help Keep the Pipes Clear!
While CCTV helps us keep the system running smoothly, there are a few things we need your help with. Here's how you can make sure our sewer lines stay in great shape:

• Don't pour fats, oils, or grease down your kitchen sink. These materials can build up inside pipes, causing clogs and blockages that disrupt the wastewater flow. Instead, dispose of them in the trash after they've cooled.
• Flushable wipes are NOT flushable. Although they may say "flushable" on the package, these wipes don't break down in the sewer system. They can cause serious blockages and even damage our pipes and pumps. Please dispose of them in the trash, not the toilet.

By being mindful of what you put down your drains and toilets, you help us keep the sewer system running smoothly for everyone.

Looking Ahead
With the help of CCTV technology and your partnership in maintaining the system, we can continue to ensure that our sewer infrastructure stays reliable and functional for years. At SMWD, our goal is to provide you, our customer, with excellent service, and by using advanced technology and tools, plus a little extra care, we can all work together to keep the sewer system in great shape!

Thank you for being a part of the Santa Margarita Water District community. We appreciate your help in keeping our sewer system running efficiently and smoothly. If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us! You may reach the Customer Care team at CustomerCare@smwd.com or (949) 459-6420.

Below: Read about SMWD's award-winning Collections Crew.