--- title: Wastewater Collections Implements Acoustic Condition Evaluation description: Wastewater Collections Implements Acoustic Condition Evaluation image: https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/ACE%20IMG_0398.jpg --- [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Engauge/engauge-logo.jpg)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge) [![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/Backgrounds/search-mobile.png)](https://www.citizensenergygroup.com/Search) # Wastewater Collections Implements Acoustic Condition Evaluation By Mandy Saucerman on 8/8/18 4:01 PM ![](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/hubfs/ACE%20IMG_0398.jpg) Wastewater Collections is inspecting and cleaning sewers more efficiently and cost effectively after recently implementing new technology. Acoustic Condition Evaluation (ACE) equipment was assessed last August, and full use of the system began this spring. The new process is increasing productivity by reducing the time it takes to assess sewer lines and determine if additional attention is necessary, including further inspection or cleaning. This allows for more effective work planning and resource utilization. Additionally, decreased drive time is minimizing fuel consumption and contributing to safety. ACE uses a device to transmit sounds through the sewer between two manhole covers. An algorithm equates the amount of sound received to a degree of blockage, on a scale of 0 to10. The technology acts as a screening tool that helps prioritize lines for cleaning and more thorough inspection based upon the score the line receives. When a line scores low (0 to 2) follow-up is immediate, utilizing more sophisticated inspection tools (like pole cameras or closed circuit televising equipment) to determine the root cause of the low score and what corrective action is necessary. “We are proactively prioritizing the oldest, most at-risk areas of our system,” said **Tim Blagsvedt**, Director Wastewater Collection. “As a result, we are finding issues and proactively correcting them before they cause huge problems for the public.” The department assesses 1.4 million feet of sewer annually. Previously, sewers were inspected and cleaned based on a geographic rotation, regardless of need. By using ACE, overall annual cleaning footage is being reduced from 1.4 million feet to an estimated 350,000 feet. Blagsvedt said it is estimated that approximately 75 percent of the line segments will produce a score that will indicate cleaning is not necessary. The implementation of this technology has allowed Citizens Energy Group to reduce its fleet and labor costs, which will result in cost-savings of approximately $450,000 annually. ### Current Articles ### Recent Issues - [November 2019 (23)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/11) - [November 2018 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/11) - [January 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/01) - [October 2021 (21)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/10) - [February 2020 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/02) - [December 2021 (20)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/12) - [October 2018 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/10) - [January 2019 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/01) - [June 2020 (19)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/06) - [August 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/08) - [October 2019 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/10) - [April 2020 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/04) - [September 2022 (18)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/09) - [July 2019 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/07) - [July 2020 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/07) - [June 2021 (17)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/06) - [April 2019 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/04) - [January 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/01) - [October 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/10) - [December 2020 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/12) - [April 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/04) - [July 2021 (16)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/07) - [September 2020 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2020/09) - [March 2021 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/03) - [June 2022 (15)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/06) - [February 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/02) - [May 2019 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2019/05) - [May 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/05) - [July 2022 (14)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/07) - [October 2023 (13)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/10) - [September 2021 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2021/09) - [March 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/03) - [May 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/05) - [June 2023 (12)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/06) - [February 2022 (11)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/02) - [August 2018 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2018/08) - [August 2023 (10)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2023/08) - [March 2022 (9)](https://blog.citizensenergygroup.com/engauge/archive/2022/03) [![PDF Archives](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2545024/33b9e93c-8f43-4101-9b48-7e78154731f5) **Engauge** is published by Citizens Energy Group, Corporate Affairs Department, under the direction of Shannon Stahley, Director of Corporate and Public Affairs. 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