Cost of new ‘storm drain’ maintenance vehicle draws scrutiny

Camera-van used advanced technology to patrol water lines

This isn’t your average F-150 pickup.

And that drew sharp questioning from Woodland Mayor Rich Lansburgh who wanted a deeper explanation for why a new vehicle used for storm drain maintenance costs $353,775.

Ultimately, the full City Council voted unanimously to buy the vehicle, as well as spending another $76,040 for a compact track loader with mower from Holt in Woodland.

The action was taken as part of the council’s consent calendar, meaning that there is typically no debate. However, Lansburgh wanted “a fuller explanation on why we’re buying a van for an exorbitant amount of money and why we need it in our city.”

Lansburgh got his explanation from Public Works Director Craig Locke, who said the vehicle is actually a high-tech machine that allows utility workers to inspect sewer and water lines without having to dig up streets, which also saves lot of money.

The “van,” is replacing a 2004 vehicle that has become antiquated with features that are no longer replaceable, Locke explained.

He said the “Rausch Electronics Mainline & Lateral Launch CCTV Van” was purchased under a contract with Houston-Galveston through a cooperative purchasing agreement that also included training in its use.

Both vehicles are scheduled for delivery in the next one- to five months.

Locke told the council during its Tuesday night video conference, that the city’s sewer pipes lie at least 25 feet or more beneath streets and private property and that they need constant inspection to see if they need repair rather than digging them up. Some of the lines are decades old and failing at various points.

“The new equipment will allow us to do a lot of work underground and incorporates a lot of technology,” he said. “This particular unit will be of benefit” because it allows for better inspection of old or decaying pipes.

As Locke explained it, public works crews send down cameras that crawl about so the crews can visually inspect the pipes. The new CCTV van has at least two cameras that also allow inspection of lateral pipes. Lateral pipes lead from homes, businesses or other structures to the main drainage pipes. They are typically smaller and harder to reach because they have no direct public access — such as a maintenance cover.

But the laterals are where some problems occur that often need maintenance, which would mean digging them up for visual inspection were it not for using cameras. Additionally, the cameras are equipped with GPS, which allows inspectors to know exactly where any problems are at.

“We have some 84 miles of lateral lines and 200 miles of main lines,” Locke said. “Our goal is to inspect 20% of those lines every year. This camera-van combination will take us a long way toward meeting that goal.”

Locke also told the council the lifespan of the new camera-van should be effective for possibly the next 16 years, which is the age of the current — outdated — van.