RIGBY, Idaho – A routine visit from a rural wastewater technician turned a potential disaster for the town of Rigby into financial savings for the Idaho community.
                  “It was a routine visit,” explained Tony Elfering, a wastewater technician with the Idaho Rural Water Association. “I pulled up and they were digging behind the dentist’s office.”
                Rigby crews had started digging to try to locate a clog in their sewer system. Unfortunately, the area near the clog also contained storm drains, telephone pole, fences, water service connection and a natural gas line. Mayor Ryan Brown estimated that it would cost $30,000 to excavate and repair the line in the tangle of other lines. Compounding the problem, James Anderson, the wastewater superintendent for the City of Rigby would be gone to take a state certification test.
                “It was a really tight situation,” Elfering said.
                Elfering contacted a company that had camera equipment that allowed the crews to look inside the pipes for the clog. The company even had a “satellite camera” system that allowed users to see down smaller lines where the main camera couldn’t travel. The company agreed to conduct a   demonstration, which would allow the city to locate the clog.
                “They only charged the city about $400, since it was a demonstration,” Elfering said.
                Elfering supervised the project during Anderson’s testing. The camera equipment quickly located the clog, allowing the crews to service the problem without digging up the other lines and utilities.
                “They didn't have to dig everything up,” Elfering explained. “They dug straight down and replaced a four-foot piece of pipe.”
                “It was a pretty good day,” he said.

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