The importance of inspecting sewers was demonstrated in a dramatic case in Bad Waltersdorf (Styria), where the seven-year-old cat “Tiger” got stuck in a pipe. Fortunately, his desperate meowing called helpers to the scene. A sewer robot eventually saved the velvet paw from its life-threatening situation.
A lot ends up in the wastewater that does not actually belong there; sewer TV inspector (the correct technical term) Gerhard Kornschober experiences this almost every day. Because the Eastern Styrian, together with his assistant Kai Müller, is on his way, among other things, to detect damage in the local water channels for Herbst Disposal GmbH from Rohr near Hartberg.
The company has been a point of contact for demolition work, collection of hazardous waste and problematic materials and recycling for years. The sewers are also inspected. “And there is a lot involved that shouldn’t be there,” say Kornschober and Müller. From installed electricity lines, to oil, to microfiber cloths and gravel.
“Water is pushed into the houses”
“Gravel and soil in particular are a major problem,” Kornschober emphasizes. Some pipes are 90 percent filled with it. “And at a certain point the limit has been reached. Flow is then no longer possible.” Moreover, the pipes are often too small. “Then the storm sewer becomes overloaded and pushes water into the houses.”
That is why maintenance is particularly important. With their sewer robots, the TV inspectors can see even the smallest crack or fracture. “Then it can be measured with a laser.” Leaking pipes can cause significant damage, including to the building structure. Both private individuals and municipalities hire the inspectors, who also work on the digitalization of the sewer system.
Family of fire salamanders rescued
But it is not only soil and waste that end up in the pipes incorrectly, the Styrians also repeatedly go out to save animals. “Last time we freed a large family of fire salamanders,” says Gerhard Kornschober. But usually they are curious velvet paws that get lost in the sewer.
The cat “Tiger” was finally released at the last second in Bad Waltersdorf. The red mouse hunter had been missing for forty hours when its owners heard desperate meowing from a sewer pipe. Initially, firefighters tried to expose the pipe by hand. But only with the help of the TV inspection vehicle was the robot, which had an integrated camera, able to locate the cat at a depth of 20 meters.
With the fascinating machine, “Tiger” was “pushed” out of the pipe after two hours, unharmed but completely exhausted and soaked. His owners were very happy.
A car costs the same as a house
How much does such a state-of-the-art Mercedes bus cost anyway? “About the size of a single-family home,” Kornschober smiles. Due to high demand, a second one is currently being purchased. After passing the exam in Vienna, assistant Kai Müller can then take over the old one, and his boss gets the new one.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
