AWWA G520-2017: Wastewater Collection System Operation and Management

Wastewater collection systems are one of the many important, yet often underappreciated, contributors to the sanitary conditions that the average person may take for granted. These systems gather used water from homes, businesses, and industries to be transported to a wastewater treatment plant. Proper wastewater collection infrastructure is integral to the management of a treatment system and prevention of illegal wastewater releases. Effective wastewater collection programs have been shown to significantly reduce the frequency and volume of untreated sewage discharges, help communities plan for the future, and save money on emergency response.

Developed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), AWWA G520-2017: Wastewater Collection System Operation and Management is intended to improve the effectiveness of wastewater systems’ overall operations and service. The standard establishes formal guidelines for the operation and management of a wastewater collection system, including maintaining infrastructure and the operation and maintenance of facilities.

AWWA G520-2017 comprises six sections, which address the many relationships and linkages that exist among the major elements of wastewater collection system operation and maintenance. This first edition standard contends that wastewater collection facilities are subject to a variety of operations considerations, such as a customer relations plan, business practice strategy, asset management plan, environmental impact program, and quality assurance practices.

Section 5 pertains to records and reporting requirements of wastewater collection systems, which include availability of reports, retention time, content, and signatory authority. Compliance with the AWWA G520-2017 standard can be measured if the facility maintains an adequate record-keeping system.  Digital documentation is emphasized, as systems are inspected with CCTV and locations systems.

This standard only includes guidelines that are limited exclusively to the operation and management of a wastewater collection system. Separate AWWA standards cover utility programs such as emergency preparedness, security, business practices, wastewater treatment, source water protections, and overall utility management.

AWWA G520-2017: Wastewater Collection System Operation and Management is available on the ANSI Webstore.