OTTUMWA — There are about a million miles of sewer and storm-water lines in the city and they all have to be televised.

The sheer volume is a downside, but there is an upside — only 20 percent of the lines must be televised per year, according to Public Works Director Larry Seals.

“We are required to inspect the entire system in a 10-year cycle,” Seals told the City Council Tuesday.

To do the job, Public Works Director Larry Seals needed a sewer televising truck. A new truck can cost anywhere from $55,000-$70,000, but that’s only part of the equipment needed.

Seals said the engineering staff searched for a truck and found a government auction Web site.

“We bid on a 1986 Chevrolet P60 Service Vehicle that was previously used as a firetruck,” he said.

The City Council unanimously approved Seals’ request for $9,999.99 to buy the used truck from the Fort Loramie Community Fire Department, Fort Loramie, Ohio.

Councilman Mitch Niner thanked Seals for finding suitable used equipment and Councilwoman Shannon Addison said it was “very creative” of Seals and his staff “to go to this Web site.”

Councilman Keith Caviness wondered about the truck’s age and if it would “be satisfactory” for the city’s use.

“[The firetruck] does have 80,000 miles on it but it’s had regular maintenance and got a new engine at 65,000 miles,” Seals said. “And, the tranny has been overhauled. For our use, it won’t accumulate a lot of miles.”

The truck will store and haul the equipment and also serve as a solid base for operating the camera system.

Seals said the engineering staff has been evaluating main-line camera systems for about a year. In addition to the truck, the city will also need a base-line camera and tractor system, which should cost about $90,000 and will be paid from the State Revolving Fund (SRF).

“Our plan would be to send out specifications for the camera system and software,” Seals said. “This will allow the city to own and operate their own system.”

SRF funding will also cover the North Side Study. Seals has budgeted $354,000 for manhole inspection and main-line televising

In the North Side Study area, the city must televise 270,000 linear feet of sewer pipe. Seals said the process can become costly for the city if a contractor finds unforeseen problems, such as protruding tap lines, that take more time.