Is CCTV enough for sewer inspection?

Tim Crisp, Technical Communications Specialist
August 3, 2026

Beyond CCTV: Why Modern Sewer Condition Assessments Require More Than Visual Inspection

For decades, CCTV sewer inspection has been the industry standard for evaluating the condition of sanitary sewer systems. It remains one of the most valuable tools available for identifying structural defects such as roots, offset joints, debris, fractures, and other visible pipe conditions.

However, as utilities continue investing millions of dollars into wastewater infrastructure, many are asking an important question:

Does a visual inspection tell the entire story?

The answer is often no.

While CCTV provides critical information about what can be seen inside a pipe, it cannot always identify where a pipe is actively leaking. As a result, utilities may unknowingly prioritize rehabilitation projects based solely on visible defects while missing the true sources of inflow and infiltration (I&I) that contribute to excessive treatment costs and capacity issues.

Today’s pipeline condition assessment programs are increasingly combining traditional CCTV inspections with advanced technologies like Focused Electrode Leak Location (FELL) to provide a more complete understanding of underground infrastructure.

The Strengths—and Limitations—of CCTV Sewer Inspection

There’s no question that CCTV sewer inspection remains an essential component of any sewer assessment program. It provides detailed visual documentation that helps utilities evaluate pipe condition and comply with NASSCO PACP inspection standards.

But like any visual inspection, CCTV has limitations.

The quality of an inspection can vary based on several factors, including:

  • Operator experience
  • Lighting conditions
  • Water levels within the pipe
  • Camera positioning
  • Pipe cleanliness
  • Inspection speed
  • Interpretation of observed defects

Even experienced operators can encounter situations where leaks simply aren’t visible. Hairline cracks, leaking joints, deteriorated service connections, and defects hidden beneath deposits may not show evidence of active infiltration—particularly during dry weather.

A pipe may appear structurally acceptable while still allowing thousands of gallons of groundwater to enter the collection system every day.

That’s where objective leak detection becomes invaluable.

Seeing the Pipe Isn’t the Same as Measuring Leakage

One of the greatest misconceptions in sewer condition assessment is that every leak can be seen with a camera.

In reality, many leaks occur without visible infiltration during an inspection.

Groundwater levels fluctuate throughout the year, meaning a defect that leaks significantly during wet weather may appear completely dry when inspected.

Instead of relying solely on visual evidence, utilities are increasingly incorporating technologies that directly measure leakage.

What is FELL Technology?

Focused Electrode Leak Location (FELL) is an advanced sewer leak detection technology developed by Electro Scan that identifies defects based on electrical conductivity rather than visual observation.

Instead of simply looking at the interior of a pipe, FELL scans the pipe wall and measures where electricity escapes through defects.

This allows crews to accurately identify:

  • Cracks
  • Fractures
  • Failed joints
  • Defective service connections
  • Pipe breaks
  • Hidden leaks
  • Defective repairs

Even more importantly, FELL can locate defects even when there is no active infiltration visible during the inspection.

Rather than asking, “Does this crack look significant?”, utilities receive objective data confirming whether the pipe is actually leaking.

Quantifying Defects Improves Rehabilitation Planning

One of the most valuable features of FELL technology is its ability to estimate the potential leakage associated with each defect.

Instead of simply documenting that a defect exists, utilities receive data that helps estimate its impact on the overall collection system.

This allows engineers and utility managers to prioritize repairs based on return on investment rather than appearance alone.

The result is more strategic:

  • Sewer rehabilitation planning
  • Capital improvement planning (CIP)
  • Inflow and infiltration reduction
  • Collection system asset management
  • Budget prioritization

When rehabilitation dollars are limited—as they often are—having objective data leads to better investment decisions.

Better Data Leads to Better Decisions

Modern wastewater asset management is no longer about collecting the most inspection videos.

It’s about collecting the right information.

Combining CCTV sewer inspection with FELL leak detection provides utilities with both structural and performance data.

CCTV answers questions such as:

  • What does the pipe look like?
  • Are there roots?
  • Are joints offset?
  • Is there debris?
  • Are there structural defects?

FELL answers equally important questions:

  • Is the pipe leaking?
  • Where is groundwater entering?
  • Which defects should be repaired first?
  • Which rehabilitation projects will have the greatest impact?

Together, these technologies create a far more complete picture of pipeline condition.

Faster Reporting Means Faster Action

Traditional inspection programs often require days—or even weeks—for reports to be reviewed, quality checked, and delivered.

With today’s digital inspection platforms, results from FELL sewer assessments are available much faster.

Quality control is managed remotely, production is monitored in real time, and utilities can begin evaluating results almost immediately after field crews complete the inspection.

Faster reporting allows utilities to:

  • Begin rehabilitation planning sooner
  • Reduce project delays
  • Improve contractor coordination
  • Accelerate decision making
  • Respond more quickly to system deficiencies

Modern Sewer Assessment Isn’t About Replacing CCTV

Some people assume technologies like FELL are intended to replace traditional CCTV inspections.

That’s not the case.

The most effective pipeline condition assessment programs use multiple technologies together.

CCTV remains the best method for documenting structural defects and creating permanent visual records.

FELL complements CCTV by identifying leaks that cameras simply cannot detect.

Think of it this way:

CCTV tells you what the pipe looks like.

FELL tells you whether the pipe is leaking.

Together, they provide utilities with the information needed to make smarter rehabilitation decisions, reduce inflow and infiltration, and maximize the value of every infrastructure dollar invested.

Improve Your Sewer Condition Assessment Program with M.E. Simpson

For more than 45 years, M.E. Simpson has helped municipalities improve their wastewater infrastructure through innovative pipeline condition assessment, sewer leak detection, asset management, and inflow and infiltration reduction services.

By combining proven inspection methods with advanced technologies like Focused Electrode Leak Location (FELL), we help utilities identify hidden defects, prioritize rehabilitation projects, and make informed decisions that extend the life of their collection systems.

Whether you’re planning a comprehensive sanitary sewer evaluation study (SSES), developing a long-term asset management strategy, or looking for more objective data to support rehabilitation planning, our team is ready to help.

Contact M.E. Simpson today to learn how FELL technology can strengthen your sewer condition assessment program and help your utility invest with confidence.

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