Queensland Urban Utilities embraces innovative pipe relining technology
29 August 2018
Queensland Urban Utilities: Queensland Urban Utilities is
embracing innovative
relining
technology to rehabilitate
water pipes in its network.
The
water
utility recently used new Primus Line
technology to reline
1.8km of
water mains at Redbank Plains in Ipswich, becoming the longest
and largest stretch of pipe to be relined using this method in
Australia.
Works are also underway to reline water mains at Brighton and Wynnum in
Brisbane using cured-in-place technology, which will be the first
section of lined reticulation water main put fully into service
nationally.
Queensland Urban Utilities Water Network Program Director, Gavin
Flood, said he believed relining technology was the way of the future.
“Relining has been used in the
sewerage industry for years, but it’s
only been in the past 12 months that Australian water utilities have
begun implementing this technology for potable water pipes,” he said.
“Relining is quicker and can be more cost effective than traditional
alternatives and importantly, it minimises disruption to the community
and the environment.
“Depending on the technology, it’s possible to reline up to 650 metres
of pipe per day compared with 40 metres using excavation. Plus, we’ve
found it has potential savings of up to 40 per cent in capital costs.”
In June, Queensland Urban Utilities relined a 600mm water main at
Redbank Plains using Primus Line technology from Germany.
The technology involves pulling a folded composite hose inside the main
and once in place, the liner is inflated and connected using specially
developed end fittings.
The composite hose is reinforced with Kevlar which gives it strength to
retain the internal pressure of the main.
“Primus Line is a relatively new technology to Australia and only a few
utilities have used it,” Mr Flood said.
“Trainers from Germany spent time in Australia teaching our capital
works crews to install Primus Line, so we now have the capability to
deliver this technology in-house.
“At Redbank Plains, our crews fed the liner into the pipe in around 600
metre lengths and we were able to install a total of 1.8 kilometres of
pipe in just over a week.
“Instead of our crew spending six months digging up the existing main
and replacing it with a new one, we will have completed this project in
a matter of weeks.”
At Brighton and Wynnum, 370m of water reticulation main is being relined
by
Ventia using Aquapipe, a cured-in-place technology.
“The particularly exciting part about these types of technologies is the
speed at which the pipe can be put back in to service,” Mr Flood said.
Queensland Urban Utilities is involved in an industry Cooperative
Research Centre (CRC) which aims to improve lining knowledge and enable
clients to make informed decisions on the renewals options of their
assets.
“Australian utilities and businesses are coming to the table to share
their experiences and work with the Water Services Association of
Australia and other research bodies to build up industry knowledge and
standards,” he said.
“Advances in trenchless technology keep coming and there’s more tools
becoming available, so we’ll be able to do more work in a trenchless
manner going forward.”
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Urban Utilities - www.urbanutilities.com.au
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