Crews installing cured in-place pipes. A resin-coated liner is pulled through an existing storm sewer and then inflated against the existing pipe wall using high pressure steam. It means not having to dig up roads to replace pipes.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The city has plans to replace storm sewers that will not require having to dig up the road and disrupt traffic flow.
The concept of the storm sewers cured in-place program (CIPP) was discussed at the development and infrastructure committee meeting on Wednesday.
A sole bid for specific CIPP work by Insituform Technologies Limited, for $1,680,987.50, was also presented to the committee and will go to city council next.
CIPP technology involves installing a resin-coated liner into existing, sometimes 100-year-old pipes, that need to be replaced.
“This is achieved by pulling it through the existing pipe using a cable, usually from one manhole to another,” said Stan Nowakowski manager of engineering for municipal works. “The section of liner is then inflated against the existing pipe wall, typically using high pressure steam. The steam heat cures (hardens) the resin and liner in place against the pipe wall.”
He says the liner generally takes the shape of the existing pipe and can coat cracks and imperfections. Larger imperfections may need spot repairs or replacement but the majority of pipe would be CIPP.
The city has already identified specific work for the contract that Insituform Technologies bid on.
“CCTV was used to assess the condition of the pipe and determine the suitability of CIPP technology for the identified areas,” said Nowakowski. “CCTV inspection is also performed after the liner installation to confirm the quality of the final product.”
Nowakowski says the CIPP liners are expected to extend the life cycle of the underground pipe by 50 years or more, depending on the pipe use. A sanitary line is used constantly while a storm line is in use periodically during rain.
The cost of using CIPP is 20 to 30 per cent cheaper than digging up the roads, taking the old pipes out and replacing with new ones. They are also equivalent to a new pipe replaced by traditional means, the committee was told.
Coun. Robert Dumanowski, who is chair of the committee, called the project “incredibly cost effective.”
Coun. Jim Turner was pleased to hear it will reduce the need for digging up roads and disrupting traffic.
Nowakowski says the number of companies that offer CIPP technology varies depending on the size of pipe. For larger diameter pipes there are a couple of companies in Alberta while there are more companies that offer smaller diameter pipe services.
CIPP technology has been used in many parts of the world for decades. The city has used them locally on a small scale for about three years.
