Collection Systems & Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers. U.S. EPA estimates the U.S. has about 805,000 km (500,000 miles) of publicly-owned sanitary sewers with a similar expanse of privately-owned sewer systems.

BROWSE COLLECTIONS SYSTEMS NEWS

The latest collections systems and conveyance articles, videos, and other content from throughout the organization and across the water sector.

Industrial Water Resources
Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification Studybook, 3rd Edition

Expand your knowledge of wastewater collection systems operation and prepare for certification examinations

Continue Reading
Collection Systems and Conveyance
WEF and WEAT Join Forces for 2025 Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference in Houston, TX

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) are excited to announce the Collection Systems & Stormwater Conference ...

Continue Reading
Industrial Water Resources
Around the Exhibition: Badger Meter

BlueEdge™ is the complete Badger Meter portfolio in action: a transformative suite of solutions designed to drive visibility and optimization of assets.

Continue Reading
Industrial Water Resources
Around the Exhibition: Xylem

Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua simplifies the way utility operators and managers get the information they need when they need it.

Continue Reading
Industrial Water Resources
Around the Exhibition: Wager Company

Chief among the drivers for Wager Company’s innovations is to make systems simple to use and long-lasting.

Continue Reading
Industrial Water Resources
Join Gradiant at Booth No. 863

Sponsored WEFTEC Product Launch presentations and Q&A sessions bring a new level of detail and technical specifications to exhibition programming.

Continue Reading

Featured Collection Systems Resources

The featured resources below are just a sample of everything WEF has to offer. Search our entire website and technical resource database for more.

Search

Technologies for CMOM Activities in Wastewater Collection Systems

This publication identifies technologies to further your transition into more preventive and even predictive operations & maintenance (O&M) activities.

Get the book today

LinkedIn Discussion Forum

Join this active discussion on topics relating to collection systems on LinkedIn. The group allows members to network with and learn from other water quality experts. Receive updates on WEF education and training on this subject.

Join the Discussion

Wastewater Collection Systems Management

The 7th edition of WEF Manual of Practice No. 7 provides guidance, strategies, and ideas that may be used by a wastewater collection system manager to be successful within these many fields of expertise.

Get MOP 7

Skills Builder

Put your knowledge to the test with WEF Skills Builder. These quizzes incorporate math, safety, and a variety of other topics to help you test, maintain, and advance your wastewater knowledge.

Take a Quiz or Two

Trenchless Technology and Asset Management

Co-published by the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), this book provides detailed, straightforward coverage of the assessment, management, and repair of pipeline infrastructure using trenchless technologies.

Get the book

Private Property Virtual Library

Created by the Collection Systems Community, the PPVL is a free online repository of private property programs across the nation. Utilities can seek information or advice about private property programs as well as share their case studies.

Enter the PPVL

Wastewater Collection System Operator Certification Studybook

The 2nd edition of this study book provides thorough coverage of the main topics every certified wastewater collection operator needs, including support systems, operation and maintenance, supervision and management, safety procedures, design and construction, electrical pumps and motors, and mathematics.

Get the study book

Design of Wastewater and Stormwater Pumping Stations

This 3rd edition is intended for design professionals, it addresses design of stations of all sizes and highlights the differences between wastewater and stormwater stations. 

Get MOP FD-4

Collection Systems Community

Comprised of experts in collection systems practices, the CSC is the resource for many of WEF’s collection systems activities and offerings. CSC covers collection system design, management, operation, and maintenance.

The community meets thrice annually at WEFTEC in September, the Midyear Meeting in January, and at the annual Collection Systems Conference. CSC also has numerous active and ongoing projects throughout the year.

Join the CSC

Join or Renew Your WEF Membership Today

Connect with our community of water professionals who ensure that our local communities have access to clean water that protects public health. Explore our member benefits and find the membership type that’s right for you.

Join or Renew Online

Visit Our Community Platform

This virtual workspace, called WEFUnity, empowers WEF members to network and collaborate in an online environment.

See what's happening in the Community Platform

EXPLORE ALL PRACTICE AREAS

WEF is a source of high-quality technical resources featuring the latest research, news, and education. WEF's members and other credible resources have created and compiled this information into the Practice Area groupings listed in the dropdown menu.

Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

Learn more

Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

Learn More

Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

Learn more

Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Learn More

Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

Learn more

Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

Learn more

Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

Learn more

Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

Learn more

Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

Learn More