Relining wastewater pipes extends their useful life while delivering customer and cost benefits in comparison to full pipe replacements. It helps reduce odours, improve network efficiency and operability.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said the job, to reline a 200-metre section of pipe in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, which supports 17,500 residents, was completed while the pipe was ‘live’ with no interruptions to wastewater services for customers.
“Hydrogen sulphide, the gas produced in wastewater, can be corrosive and over time, can deteriorate infrastructure,” Mr Basterfield said.
“This pipe was in need of renewal, and our team chose the spiral relining method with PVC, which allowed them to carry out the work in a live wastewater pipe under active flow,” he said.
“This method is much less disruptive to the community and more cost-effective than if we were to completely replace the pipe, which requires open-cut trenching and coordination and shutdown of assets while these works take place.”
Mr Basterfield said a comprehensive, proactive program was used to identify which assets need to be renewed, including cleaning programs and jet blasting to clear debris build-up and blockages, CCTV to clearly see any issues inside pipes and removal of tree roots.
“Tree roots are one of the biggest culprits causing blockages and subsequent overflows, with the potential to impact the community and the environment,” he said.
Mr Basterfield said the works were carried out in collaboration with specialist contractor Pipe Management Australia over three days, including one day of pre-cleaning works, one day to install the liner and one day installing end seals and performing a CCTV inspection of the new pipe condition.
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