Road workers keep hi-tech eye on underworld

27th November 2009

Masterton District Council workers will be better armed to spot sewer problems thanks to smarter technology.

The technology - which has already been used in Ngaumutawa Road as part of the council's sewer reticulation renewal, replacement and upgrading programme - has revolutionised renewal work, utility services manager James Li said.

The technology involves a large coil of plastic expandable pipe liner being unrolled off the back of a truck and fed through the pipe network.

Mr Li likened the new method to keyhole surgery, where the operation is carried out without cutting open the patient.

"In this case we're talking about not digging up the road while still managing to re-line the pipes. It's quick and cost-effective. For example, during heavy rain last week our contractor was able to complete 80m of sewer main renewal in one morning and the weather did not affect the work," he said.

The renewal, which began on Ngaumutawa Road, will move to Papawai Place and the Webstar area.

"One particular reason the council picked this area to introduce the new sewer renewal technology was to quickly reduce inflow and infiltration into the sewer reticulation so we can improve network performance in the Upper Plain to Bentley Street catchments."

Mr Li said the Rib Loc Expanda Pipe relining was produced by Interflow (NZ) Limited.

"It's one of the proven sewer pipe renewal technologies and offers particular advantages over traditional dig-and-replace method in terms of low cost, fast installation, no-digging up or repair of roads.

"It is also able to be installed for high groundwater table situations, and minimum interruption and disruption to sewer and traffic flows during installation."

Earlier this month 134m of sewer main in Church Street was replaced using the traditional dig-and-replacement method, marking the start of the 2009/10 sewer works programme.

Further sewer upgrading works in Renall Street, Essex Street, and French Street using traditional technologies will commence in the New Year following a tendering process.