How can leaks in wastewater systems be detected?

Detecting leaks in wastewater systems is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the infrastructure and protecting the environment. Pressure testing is a reliable method for leak detection because it involves pressurizing the system and monitoring for drops in pressure, which indicate a leak. This method allows technicians to systematically assess the entire system, ensuring that any weak points or actual leaks can be identified and repaired.

The other methods, while they may have some value, do not provide the same level of accuracy or reliability. Observing surface wetness can be a sign of a leak, but it is not definitive and can be influenced by other factors such as rainfall or irrigation. Using smell alone can indicate the presence of sewage, but it does not pinpoint the location of a leak or confirm its existence. Inspecting only after a heavy rain does not provide a controlled environment for identifying leaks, and similar complications arise from surface water that could obscure actual leaks, yielding ambiguous results. Thus, pressure testing stands out as the most effective and precise method for detecting leaks in wastewater systems.