I&I, SSOs, & The Olympics

In this episode of Coatings Decoded, host Jack Walker dives into the world of wastewater infrastructure with Vaughn O’Dea, Director of Epoxytec. They explore the pressing issues of inflow and infiltration (I&I) in sewer systems, drawing connections to recent challenges faced during the Paris Olympics with the Seine River's water quality. Vaughn sheds light on the differences between separate and combined sewer systems, the aging infrastructure in both North America and Europe, and the costly impact of I&I on wastewater treatment facilities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how groundwater infiltration and stormwater can overburden treatment plants, leading to environmental and public health risks. The episode also discusses historical approaches to mitigating these issues, like equalization basins, and emphasizes the importance of proactive infrastructure repairs to address the root causes of I&I.