Sewage and Wastewater Systems

Drainage Expert Witness & Wastewater System Failure Investigation Services

A drainage or wastewater failure is never just a physical problem. It often turns into a legal one too. That’s where I step in.

I am Bonneau Dickson, PE. I work as a drainage expert witness and litigation support wastewater engineer. Attorneys, insurers, property owners, and public agencies come to me when they need clear answers about why a system failed. And, just as importantly, who’s responsible.

I have worked independently since 1993 as a licensed Sanitary Engineer. So I don’t just study these systems; I’ve spent decades designing and fixing them too. That’s why my findings hold up, whether they’re read by an attorney, an insurance adjuster, or a jury.

What Does a Drainage System Expert Witness Do?

A drainage system expert witness looks closely at the facts behind a failure. This could be a pipe break, a blocked sewer line, a pump station malfunction, stormwater overflow, or a sewage backup. I review site records. I inspect the physical evidence. I check the maintenance history. Then I figure out the real cause: bad design, poor installation, deferred maintenance, or something else.

My goal is simple. I won’t tell you what you want to hear. I’ll tell you what’s true. That’s what makes my opinion something you can actually rely on, whether you’re in negotiation, mediation, or trial.

Who Needs This Service?

• Attorneys who are building or defending a case involving a sewage backup, septic failure, or drainage dispute
• Insurance companies that need to evaluate wastewater-related property damage claims
• Property owners and managers facing a septic system failure or a disclosure dispute
• Public agencies reviewing sewer maintenance plans or pump station performance

My Areas of Specialized Knowledge

Over the years, I’ve built deep experience in:

• Septic system failures and real estate disclosure concerns
• Sewage backups affecting homes, apartments, and commercial buildings
• Pump station and sewer pipe failures
• Water distribution system failures
• Wastewater leakage investigation and related property damage
• Wastewater treatment facility design
• Sewer and pump station design
• Potable water facility design
• Sewer maintenance plan evaluations

How Does a Drainage Failure Investigation Work?

I like to keep things simple, so here’s what to expect, step by step:

1. Initial case review. First, I look at the claim or dispute. I figure out what technical questions need answers.
2. Site investigation. Next, I inspect the property in person whenever I can; the pipes, the pump station, or the treatment system.
3. Records and data review. Then I dig through maintenance logs, design plans, permits, and inspection history.
4. Root cause analysis. After that, I pinpoint what actually caused the failure. Was it a design flaw? An installation error? A maintenance lapse? Or simple misuse?
5. Clear reporting. Finally, I write up my findings in plain language. If needed, I’ll stand behind them in a deposition or in court.

Why Choose Bonneau Dickson, PE?

I’m not a big firm spread thin across dozens of unrelated cases. I’m a licensed Sanitary Engineer with over 30 years of hands-on experience. That means I’ve actually designed, inspected, and troubleshooted the exact systems I’m now asked to evaluate; sewers, pump stations, wells, and wastewater facilities.

That real-world design background is the difference. It’s what separates a true wastewater system failure expert witness from someone who only knows the subject from a textbook.

Get Expert Guidance for Your Case!

If you’re facing a drainage failure, sewage backup, or wastewater dispute, I’m ready to help you find real answers. Contact me today to schedule a consultation. Let’s see how my drainage leakage investigation experience can support your case!

Frequently Asked Questions