WC143 JulyAug 2025 - Magazine - Page 26
manual. Staff continue to rely on traditional tools,
What is PACP?
including closed-circuit television (CCTV) and
The Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) is an
sonar, to inspect sewers and assess issues like blockinternational standard developed by NASSCO for assessing the
ages, structural damage, or hydraulic constraints.
condition of underground infrastructure.
Hamilton has also developed unique and
Although it originated in the U.S., Canadian municipalities
comprehensive sewer inspection programs, which
widely use PACP to ensure consistent CCTV coding, grading, and
operate independently from the newer monitoring
reporting—especially for sewer pipes and stormwater systems.
installations. As the City’s system matures,
Using PACP helps cities:
there is significant potential to further integrate
Benchmark infrastructure condition
monitoring data and analytics to enhance both
Prioritize repairs and rehabilitation
operational response and long-term planning.
Share data across departments or contractors
These monitoring and inspection efforts
complement broader infrastructure investments,
including the $340 million upgrade to the
Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant
The inspection program combines closed-circuit
completed in late 2024. Together, these initiatives aim to improve
television (CCTV) and sonar technologies to assess internal
treatment capacity and reduce CSO frequency over the long term.
pipe conditions, with all inspections following PACP
(Pipeline Assessment Certification Program) standards to
ensure consistency and comparability. Once collected, the
data is processed through Trimble Unity, a cloud-based
field data management platform that streamlines reporting,
condition coding, and visualization.
The processed inspection data is then integrated into
Toronto’s esri-based geographic information system (GIS),
where it becomes part of a spatially mapped infrastructure
model. This system gives asset managers, planners, and
maintenance teams access to real-time, location-specific
condition ratings—enabling smarter decisions for
everything from capital investment to emergency repair
prioritization.
This seamless flow of information allows Toronto to
move beyond reactive maintenance and calendar-based
scheduling, instead prioritizing inspections and repairs
TORONTO
based on actual asset condition and performance.
GIS-integrated inspection program for
strategic asset management
Wastewater inspection today is about more than just
spotting cracks, it’s about transforming how cities
Technology providers: Andrews.Engineer, Trimble Unity, esri
understand and care for buried infrastructure.
Project status: Ongoing
Whether using AI-powered analytics, acoustic sensors,
Application: Asset condition assessment, long-term planning, crossGIS integration, or foundational real-time monitoring,
departmental collaboration
municipalities across Canada are shifting from reactive
maintenance to proactive planning. These tools are helping
cities avoid costly emergencies, target their resources, and
TORONTO IS GOING ALL-IN on data to manage its vast wastewater
build resilience in the face of aging infrastructure and
network—integrating multiple tools into one coordinated
intensifying climate pressures.
inspection and asset management system. The city’s program,
With consistent standards like PACP gaining ground—
managed by Andrews.Engineer, spans more than 10,000
and federal and provincial infrastructure funding on the
kilometres of sewers and approximately 160,000 maintenance
rise—more cities are poised to invest in systems that help
holes, making efficient, intelligent planning essential.
them see clearly below the surface.
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WATER C AN ADA • JULY/AUGUS T 2025
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Getty Images
WASTEWATER
