Video Inspection

Video Inspections is the use special camera equipment to inspect underground water and sewer pipelines for damages, leaks and obstructions. Video inspections are mostly handled through the Durham Public Works Department. If further assistance is required, please contact Public Works at 919-560-4326.  

Inspection Requirements

Video Inspection is required for permitted storm drainage and sanitary sewer pipes and structures as follows:

  • Single Family Residential 

    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public City of Durham or private street (not private access/common area or parking lots). 
    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within a storm drainage easement. 
    • Sanitary sewer pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public street (City of Durham or NCDOT) and/or public sanitary sewer easement. 
    • Private sanitary sewer mains.

  • Multi-Family Residential 

    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public City of Durham or private street (not private access/common area or parking lots). 
    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within a storm drainage easement. 
    • Sanitary sewer pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public street (City of Durham or NCDOT) and/or public sanitary sewer easement. 
    • Private sanitary sewer mains. 

  • In-Fill Lots 

    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public City of Durham or private street (not private access/common area or parking lots). 
    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within a storm drainage easement that conveys drainage from an adjacent property. 
    • Sanitary sewer pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public street (City of Durham or NCDOT) and/or public sanitary sewer easement. 

  • All Other Projects 

    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public City of Durham or private street (not private access/common area or parking lots). 
    • Storm drainage pipes and structures installed within a storm drainage easement that conveys drainage from an adjacent property. 
      • Sanitary sewer pipes and structures installed within an existing or proposed public street (City of Durham or NCDOT) and/or public sanitary sewer easement. 

Please note the following exceptions: *City of Durham Public Works Engineering will require video inspection of storm drainage and sanitary sewer for any scenario not listed above. *Video Inspection is not required by the City of Durham for storm drainage installed within NCDOT ROW. *Video Inspection is not required by the City of Durham for Durham County maintained sanitary sewer. 

Video Inspection Review Process

The Engineer of Record shall submit the Video Inspection submittal packages to the Development Services Center online portal listed below. A comment letter will be issued from Public Works Engineering after the review is complete. The submittal package shall consist of:

  • 1st Video Inspection Submittal
    • Video Inspection Review Fee (1st Review only)
    • Video Inspection Submittal Checklist
    • Sanitary and/or Storm Drainage Video Inspection(s)
    • As-built PDF highlighting pipes and structures from Video Inspection(s)
    • Video Inspection Contractor’s reports
  • Post-Repair Video Inspection Submittal
    • Video Inspection Submittal Checklist
    • Sanitary and/or Storm Drainage Video Inspection(s)
    • As-built PDF highlighting pipes and structures from Video Inspection(s)
    • Video Inspection Contractor’s reports
    • Engineer of Record’s Repair Evaluation

Once received, video inspection submittals will be evaluated to ensure items listed above are included. Submittals that do not include the applicable items listed above will not be accepted for review and will be returned to applicant. 

The sanitary sewer video inspection submittals will be reviewed within 10 business days of receipt of a complete video inspection submittal. The storm drainage video inspection submittals will be reviewed within 45 business days of receipt of a complete video inspection submittal. 

Public Works Engineering will review the video inspections and provide the Engineer of Record with any deficiencies identified during the review. The Engineer of Record must submit to Public Works Engineering recommendations to address the deficiencies. Once the repairs are approved and completed, post-repair video inspection will be required. The Engineer of Record must review the post-repair video inspection to determine if the repairs are complete based on the repair recommendation. A Post-Repair Video Inspection Submittal must be provided to Public Works Engineering with the items listed above. Public Works Engineering will review the post-repair video inspection submittal and respond with any further comments. 

Video Inspections for utilities in roadways shall occur after the stone subbase is compacted and setup, but not less than 30 days after installation and backfill. Video Inspections for utilities outside of roadways shall be no sooner than 30 days after installation and backfill to finish grade. The Video Inspection submittal shall be submitted within 60 days of the video inspection being completed. Prior to scheduling a utility walkthrough with Public Works Engineering Inspections the following Video.

Submittal Requirements

  1. Video Inspection 
    1. All video inspections shall meet all NASSCO requirements for the video inspection of pipes and structures. 
    2. Per NASSCO requirements all video inspections must be performed in the presence of a NASSCO certified individual. All Video Inspection Submittal Checklists must include the contractor’s NASSCO certification number. Video inspections that are not performed in the presence of a NASSCO certified individual will not be accepted for review. Additionally, video inspections will not be accepted for review if the NASSCO certification number is not provided. 
    3. Video inspections shall be performed no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date of installation of the associated infrastructure. 
  2. Utility Map PDF 
    1. All Video Inspection submittals shall include an as-built utility map in PDF format that highlights the pipes and structures included in the video inspection. 
    2. Individual maps are required for both storm drainage and sanitary sewer. Structure numbers, pipe sizes, pipe material, and pipe diameter shall be labeled on the map. The Video Inspection labels shall match the pipe and structure information provided on the as-built map. 
    3. The utility maps shall include all applicable phase lines. 
    4. Street names shall be labeled on the utility maps. 
  3. Video Inspection Reports 
    1. Video Inspection submittals shall include video inspection reports from the contractor. 
    2. Video Inspection reports shall be formatted to meet the PACP, MACP, and LACP standards established by NASSCO. Video inspections and reports shall be coded per NASSCO PACP, MACP, and LACP standards. 
  4. Pipe and Structure Evaluation Requirements 
    1. All installed storm drainage and sanitary sewer, pipes and structures, must meet all established Public Works and Water Management standards. 
    2. Storm Drainage pipe and structure, evaluations and repair recommendations, must meet the following industry standards: 
      1. American Concrete Pipe Association – Post Installation Evaluation and Repair of Installed Concrete Pipe 
      2. ASTM C1840 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Acceptance of Installed Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Storm Sewer Pipe 
      3. AASHTO R73-16 – Standard Practice for Evaluation of Precast Concrete Drainage Structures 
    3. Sanitary Sewer pipe and structure, evaluations and repair recommendations, must meet all standards established by Water Management. 
      1. Epoxy lined sanitary sewer pipe must be free of all lining defects prior to acceptance. 
    4. Material and/or Manufacturer submittals will be required by Public Works and Water Management prior to the installation of any proposed repairs. 

Payment Portal

  • Payment Portal
    1. Use payment option “2-Video Inspection Review”
    2. In the first blank enter the PROJECT NAME as it appears on the approved Civil Construction Drawings followed by the PROJECT PHASE(S) for this video inspection submittal. The second blank can be used if project name and phase(s) does not fit within the first blank. Also include any other project identifying information in second blank
    3. Hit the Continue button. 
    4. Fill out the payment information fields. 
    5. Enter in the “Pay This Amount” field as follows.
      1. Determine the fee amount based on the instructions on the video inspection checklist; 
      2. Multiply the fee amount by 4% to determine the technology surcharge amount; 
      3. Add these two numbers together and this is the amount to enter in the “Pay This Amount” field.
        Example:
        Video Inspection Review Fee = $2,000
        Technology Surcharge = $80 ($2,000 x 4% Technology Surcharge)
        Total for “Pay This Amount” field = $2,080.00
        Hit the continue button
    6. Save your receipt and payment number to reference in your application.

Applications will not be accepted if there is no payment.

Submittal Portal

Use the portal below to complete your request for a Video inspection. If the online form is not working, use this Video Inspection Submission Portal link.