Tallahassee, FL
Gulf Coast Underground (GCU) successfully completed a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Survey (SSES) for the City of Tallahassee in 2022. This project was part of the City’s ongoing initiative to assess system performance, reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I), and prepare for future rehabilitation efforts. The project was managed by Jones Edmunds and focused on collecting accurate condition data through high-volume smoke testing and Level 1 manhole inspections across key areas of the City’s gravity sewer system.
The contract included over 112,000 linear feet of smoke testing on 8″–15″ sewer mains. Field work was conducted in both standard and non-contiguous segments, requiring detailed access planning and multiple mobilizations. Alternate bid items and a formal change order were incorporated into the contract to adjust for real-world conditions and client-driven priorities. GCU also performed Level 1 manhole inspections, documenting structural conditions and identifying potential sources of I&I to support asset management planning.
Crews followed strict safety and public outreach protocols, including advance door-hanger notifications and real-time coordination with residents during testing. Non-contiguous areas required flexible staging, frequent communication with city staff, and tailored work sequencing to reduce disruption. Observations were captured with GPS-based photo documentation and organized into GIS-compatible formats to integrate with the City’s existing infrastructure databases.
All data collected was reviewed under a structured QA/QC process to ensure accuracy, consistency, and traceability. Final deliverables included mapped results, defect logs, inspection summaries, and digital records of observed connections, defects, or potential cross-contamination points. Throughout the project, GCU worked closely with Jones Edmunds to review progress, adjust scheduling, and maintain compliance with contract specifications.
This project was completed on time and within budget. It demonstrates GCU’s strength in large-scale, field-based infrastructure evaluation and its commitment to delivering clear, actionable data for municipal rehabilitation planning across the Southeast.
Specs
Project Data
- Start: February 2022
- Completion: November 2022
- Contract Amount: $903,330.50
- Owner: City of Tallahassee
- Engineer: Jones Edmunds
Project Highlights
- 112,000+ LF of smoke testing completed
- Included non-contiguous areas
- 8″–15″ gravity mains tested
- Level 1 manhole inspections included
- GIS-compatible deliverables w/ photo logs
- Completed on time and within budget
Contact
- Name: Brian Icerman, PE
- Phone: (352) 377-5821
- Email: bicerman@jonesedmunds.com
- Address: 730 NE Waldo Road, Gainesville, FL 32641