Roslindale, MA

MWRA, High Level Sewer

Scope/Solutions
Project Gallery
Project Summary

Scope/Solutions

The High Level Sewer (HLS) is a masonry conduit built around 1901. Following a large rainstorm, the HLS developed internal pressure that caused water to overflow through the manholes and flood parts of the Roslindale neighborhood. The manholes were bolted down to prevent future flooding. A couple years later, during a heavy rain storm, the HLS was pressurized again, resulting in failures of manholes, cracking of the masonry conduit, movement and cracking at bends in the sewer line, and significant leakage. SGH was retained to perform an emergency condition assessment, evaluate risk of pressurization during future storm events, and develop a repair program.

Highlights of our work on this project include the following:

Performed manned internal inspection of approximately 1,600 ft of HLS while in operation
Inspected the exterior of the HLS in eight test pit excavations
Evaluated rainfall data and hydraulic analysis before and after a connection bypass to Stony Brook planned by MWRA to lower water levels during a severe storm
Performed structural evaluation and damage assessment of the conduit by finite-element soil-structure interaction analysis
Determined risk associated with pressurization of the HLS in future storms before bypass installation
Developed an emergency response procedure
Identified two areas that needed emergency repairs, prepared design and bid documents, hired the contractor, performed bid evaluations, and monitored construction