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UTILITY EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE WATER MAIN REHAB TECHNIQUES
Citation:
Hughes, D. M., M. Wolan, AND J. C. Matthews. UTILITY EXPERIENCE WITH INNOVATIVE WATER MAIN REHAB TECHNIQUES. In Proceedings, 2011 No-Dig Show, Washington, DC, March 27 - April 01, 2011. North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT), Liverpool, NY, 0, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
All utilities are motivated to renew their aging infrastructure in the most efficient manner with respect to cost and minimal disruption to the community. American Water was given an opportunity to participate in an EPA funded project to demonstrate innovative water (and wastewater) rehabilitation technology. The project manager, Battelle Consultants, provided a comprehensive review of available technologies and in conjunction with American Water selected a spray applied polymeric compound for demonstration by New Jersey American Water. For the demonstration, the 3M Company (Minneapolis, MN) prepared the pipe and installed a spray applied two component polyurea compound to the inside of a 10” unlined cast iron main in the New Jersey American Water system of Somerville. The material applied was to add its own semi-structural qualities to strengthen the pipe. Specific tests to verify strength were scheduled and made part of the project. The pipe was cleaned and material installed in August 2010. However, within two weeks, the material was discovered to have failed to adhere to the host pipe or hold its shape. The pipe was subsequently abandoned and replaced. 3M conducted its own investigation to determine the reasons for the failure of a product that appeared so promising in the laboratory and some initial field tests. Highlighted in this paper are the process, challenges, results, and problems encountered.
