Dynamic Duo for Clean Water Solutions

Kellen Gaston and Erin LeGrand (left to right)

By Cyn Whitfield, Senior Marketing Specialist

Kellen Gaston and Erin LeGrand expected a few things when they brought TREKK360 technology to Lawrence, Kansas: acquire a more accurate inspection of the City’s storm inventory assessment and provide better utilization of the City’s budget. As experienced Inflow & Infiltration (I/I) Specialists, what they didn’t expect was a 20 percent increase in productivity and a professional working relationship that only two moms with a common interest in clean water solutions can appreciate.

TREKK, under the direction of Innovation Specialist, Jared Carey, developed the TREKK360 camera, which allows underground virtual inspections from the desktop. This method is safer than traditional confined space entry and provides a complete and more comprehensive view. Lawrence’s EcoFlow Rapid Rainwater Reduction Program was the working catalyst for this 3D technology.

“Basically, we reckoned that if we could free up field teams and supplement with virtual office inspections, we would be able to get more accomplished to best utilize the City’s budget,” Carey explained. “Erin and Kellen are our role models in the field using this technique, producing record paces and volumes.”

Traditional stormwater inspections involve confined space entry to take photos and measurements of pipes in hard-to-reach areas. With the complexity of stormwater infrastructure especially, TREKK typically would acquire no more than two inspections per hour for a two-person team, equating to 60 total labor minutes combined per structure.

“With the new TREKK360 methods, Erin and Kellen have been scanning up to five structures per hour, or a total of 24 total minutes combined per structure,” boasts Carey. “We are supplementing with one office technician to complete the measurements and condition assessment virtually (in the office) at a total of less than 20-25 labor minutes, including model processing. Essentially, we’ve increased the overall productivity of each inspection and, as an added bonus, provided awesome comprehensive models to help visualize the routing and volume within each structure. This enables project engineers to visit the field virtually at a later date, if needed.”

The TREKK360 camera can be used for both storm and sanitary structure assessments. Using the inspection data, maintenance and structural defects are identified and a condition rating is assigned to each storm structure, allowing for asset prioritization. GPS coordinates can also be captured during the inspection process to build and/or verify the routing of the storm sewer system with data that can be embedded into a GIS database or asset management program of choice.

This technology is a game changer for LeGrand and Gaston in what looks like an effortless, record- producing pace needed to acquire more than 15,000 structures within a three-year period for the City of Lawrence. In one recent day, they visited 50 structures, 43 of which had successful scans while the other seven were identified as needing cleaning or other reasons for not being able to complete. Recognizance at this level helps Lawrence better understand its asset inventory and condition of its stormwater system quickly to improve operations and service of its utility.

Identifying critical information and attributes helps Lawrence determine downstream impacts and develop solutions. This is a workflow TREKK is using in other communities and one of the reasons TREKK can boast more than 5.1 million lives impacted by our services.

When they aren’t assessing the City’s stormwater structures, LeGrand and Gaston also lead TREKK’s efforts on the City’s EcoFlow Private I/I Program, which is helping Lawrence reduce I/I in its collection system by up to 35 percent. But community is about more than being skilled in clean water solutions for this dynamic duo. As Lawrence residents, they have developed a network of well-connected, nurtured, community involvement with their unique leadership talents. Gaston is involved in the Clinton Eagles 4-H Club, raising money for college scholarships, and assists in the Adopt a Senior Program. LeGrand is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and serves as a Family Promise Coordinator, which empowers families in a housing crisis to achieve stabilization through community connection.