Surveyof Pipeline Rehabilitation Techniques

ReportNo WSAA 82

July 1994

SYNOPSIS

Manyof Australia’s urban water authorities are responsible for the management ofwater supply pipelines and sewers constructed in the late 19^thCentury. Many of these aging pipelines now require rehabilitation, replacementor augmentation.

Inrecent years water authorities have witnessed a worldwide explosion oftechnologies and techniques specifically aimed at pipeline rehabilitation.Trenchless technologies developed in Europe, Japan and America are beingexported by licence agreements with local companies.

Thissurvey involved the collection of information from Australian water authoritiesand specialist contractors in this field. The results have been collated andanalysed to provide an information data base for water authorities throughoutAustralia, so that they can benefit from their colleagues’ experience.

Theresults of the survey have shown that there is an emergent industry inAustralia specialising in trenchless technology techniques for therehabilitation of water and sewage pipelines. There are more than 40proprietary products now available and at least 35 authorities have experiencewith one or more of these.

Thereis a wide range of level of satisfaction with the finished products byauthorities, which has been influenced by differences in contractor skills,levels of product application, and the expectations and technical expertise ofthe users.

Someauthorities have already developed significant technical expertise andexperience, and their specifications and procedures provide quality assuredresults.

Lessexperienced authorities are more reliant on information supplied by contractorsand suppliers who may or may not be sufficiently expert to assure a satisfactoryfinished product.

Themove to trenchless technologies for the rehabilitation of water supplypipelines and sewers is influenced by the communities insistence on minimiseddisruption and cost effectiveness.

Theselection of particular techniques over others is related to the availabilityof contractors with a proven track record in the field.

Thestudy has identified particular needs for research and testing to enable moreprecise definition of achievable standards, and for increased education ofusers to ensure that appropriate expertise is used to specify and evaluatetrenchless technology works. The study has also identified desired improvementsin the various technology methods, which should provide a useful guide tocontractors and suppliers, and lead to improved products and systems.

Copiesof the Report are available from WSAA, price $A30. Orders may be placed throughthe Bookshop at www.wsaa.asn.au or by email to info@wsaa.asn.au.