Municipal pipe maintenance continues to be a major challenge for city planners across America. Due to our nation’s aging pipe infrastructure, many municipal planners are faced with the need to rehabilitate deteriorating pipes to their original function. Due to factors including tuberculation, cracks and leaks, and root intrusion, pipes gradually become obstructed over time. Eventually, rehabilitation will be necessary. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation offers solutions.
Municipal trenchless pipe repair or restoration is often delayed by funding obstacles. However, if municipal pipe rehabilitation or repair is not completed in time, pipes will eventually develop acute issues. These are typically more costly and disruptive to daily life than preventative measures would have been.
Municipal trenchless pipe repair or restoration allows for pipe function to be restored, with minimally invasive procedures. However, city planners and other municipal officials are often unsure whether municipal trenchless pipe repair will be an effective long-term solution. In this article, we’ll take a look at how municipal pipe rehabilitation procedures work. We’ll also explore why Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) offers the best value for municipalities that need trenchless pipe rehabilitation.
What Is Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation Technology?
When pipes are rehabilitated, they are restored to functioning properly after deterioration or decay. Rather than removing and completely replacing pipes, it is often more cost-effective and efficient to rehabilitate them instead. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation refers to methods that don’t involve excavating the full surface area of underground pipes. Sometimes, a small amount of the pipe needs to be exposed, but full open trenching is not necessary. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation methods are far more affordable and less invasive than open trenching methods.
What Are the Common Challenges Involved in Municipal Trenchless Pipe Repair, Municipal Pipe Replacement, and Municipal Pipe Rehabilitation?
Municipal trenchless pipe repair, municipal pipe replacement, and municipal pipe rehabilitation involve unique challenges that city planners must consider. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common concerns when it comes to municipal pipe rehabilitation.
The likelihood of funding obstacles
Obtaining funding for large municipal pipe rehabilitation projects is seldom easy. Even in a small community of around 50,000 people, there will be roughly 217 miles of gravity sewer lines. Total replacement of pipes for a community of this size could cost well over $100 million. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation offers an affordable alternative.
A need for less invasive trenchless pipe rehabilitation techniques
Let’s say you need to complete a municipal pipe rehabilitation project in a business district. Open trenching techniques could result in expensive demolition of landscaping, sidewalks, and structures. You may also end up needing to divert traffic for an extended period of time. Spray in Place Solutions (SIPS) uses trenchless pipe rehabilitation technology to give you better options. Our methods take only a fraction of the time you’d invest in traditional pipe replacement.
The importance of compliance and safety in trenchless pipe rehabilitation
When undertaking a municipal trenchless pipe repair or municipal pipe rehabilitation project, a top priority should be avoiding any health risks to the community. Unfortunately, not all trenchless pipe rehabilitation techniques are safe. A popular technique called cured-in-place pipe repair, or CIPP, has been found to emit compounds that pose significant health risks.
On the other hand, our spray-in-place methods are safe for your community and the environment. Spray in Place Solutions (SIPS) is certified compliant with ASTM 729 and with NSF/ANSI 61. It is safe for wildlife and people in your community, and our epoxy coating will not pose health hazards via drinking water.
The need for a long-term municipal pipe rehabilitation solution
Choosing an affordable solution will have a negative impact in the long run if your pipes deteriorate again in just a few years. It’s important to choose a municipal trenchless pipe repair or municipal pipe rehabilitation solution that will fully solve your problems in the short term, while also presenting a long-term solution. Spray in Place Solutions (SIPS) uses methods and materials that are engineer-tested and estimated to last approximately 75 years.
How Can We Properly Plan for Municipal Trenchless Pipe Repair or Municipal Pipe Rehabilitation?
A municipal pipe rehabilitation project can be a high-stakes undertaking. Careful planning is necessary to ensure minimal disruption and a successful project. Let’s take a look at a few tips from an engineer that can help you plan for municipal pipe rehabilitation.
Accurately determine the condition of existing pipes
Using camera technology to visually inspect pipes is a great place to start when assessing damage. It’s also helpful to gather any records of previous problems with the pipes.
Carefully consider surrounding service connections
After a municipal pipe rehabilitation project is completed, service connections will need to be restored as quickly as possible. Carefully assessing the location and size of all service connections beforehand will help this process go smoothly and quickly.
Proactively communicate with all involved parties
A trenchless pipe rehabilitation project involves a lot of people – not just the company you hire. Business may be affected, emergency crews may need to plan for alternative water supply and travel routes, and utility customers may experience a disruption in service. You can solve many problems before they start by giving adequate notice to everyone your project will affect.
Read more in our blog: Municipal Services: Trenchless Underground Pipe Repair
Has Spray-in-Place Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation Been Successful in Municipal Settings?
Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) trenchless pipe rehabilitation has a proven track record of success in many municipal settings. Let’s take a look at just a couple of examples.
Milton, MA
For example, Milton, MA, is a Boston suburb that successfully used Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) technology for their recent rehabilitation project. Tuberculation in aging pipes was causing significant problems, and the pipes had a long track record of leaks and breaks. Traditional open trenching would have had serious impacts on traffic and led to prolonged interruption of the town’s water service. Instead, the town of Milton chose to work with Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS). They paid only a fraction of the cost of pipe replacement. Using remotely operated vehicle (ROV) analysis, the Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) team was able to quickly evaluate the problem, create a plan, and complete the project quickly with minimal disruption.
Chicagoland area
Chicagoland is yet another municipal area that’s recently benefited from Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) trenchless pipe rehabilitation. A 100 year old pipe with a history of major damage had been out of service for roughly 8 to 10 months. Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) was able to work alongside the utility to gain the approval of the IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency). Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) technology allowed our team to develop a highly customized, innovative plan and return the pipe to “like new” condition.
Experts have deemed spray-in-place technology a superior solution for municipal pipe rehabilitation. A 2007 AWWARF study estimated a 50-year life for spray-in-place epoxy coating. Along with its proven safety to consumers, this research establishes Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) technology as a clear best choice for municipalities.
What Makes Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) the Best Choice for Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation in Municipal Settings?
Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) is the best choice for municipal pipe rehabilitation for many reasons. These include:
- Minimal disruption
- Quick project turnaround time
- Affordable pricing
- Safety and durability
- Versatile application to most all metal pipe systems
- Proven success in municipal settings across America
What Will Municipal Pipe Rehabilitation with Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) Be Like?
Our process for municipal pipe rehabilitation projects starts with diagnosis and formulating a minimally disruptive plan of action. Using our Camera, Clean and Coat procedure, we thoroughly inspect your pipes to identify any issues and plan our rehabilitation process. We then perform high-tech preparation and cleaning techniques and apply an epoxy lining. After a brief curing time, we perform thorough testing and inspection to ensure that pipes are fully functional.
Ready to Get Started With Spray In Place Solutions’ (SIPS) Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation Methods?
Spray In Place Solutions (SIPS) uses state-of-the-art, revolutionary processes and materials to complete your municipal pipe rehabilitation project with optimal results. You can get a quote by filling out our Pipe Lining Questionnaire today.