EPR Rehabilitation of Asbestos-Cement Pipeline

Abstract

Abstracts should be limited to 250 words maximum. Goulburn Valley Water (GVW) and Intelligent Water Networks have co-funded the world first trial of encapsulAC EPR for rehabilitation of an asbestos cement (AC) water main in Fair Street, Shepparton. There are approximately 50,000 km of operating AC water and sewer mains that are at or past operating life and need replacement. The current permitted techniques include: • lift and relay, • bypass new pipe on new alignment, and • slip lining and cured in place EPR is Encapsulation Pipe Renewal and the process in this trial is pipe reaming the AC pipeline with encapsulAC. This will capture the AC pipe fragments and surrounding soil in a safe, identifiable and coagulated mass sitting outside a new Polyethylene water pipeline. The trenchless reaming process comprises: • old pipe as pilot hole for drilling rods • connecting the new polyethylene pipe to the rods • flow points out of cutting head injects fluid as it rotates and rods pulled back • creating a congealed mass enveloping the PE pipe comprising granulated old AC pipe, surrounding soil and vibrant blue coloured fluid. Page 1 of 10 No-Dig Down Under 2025 EPR Rehabilitation of Asbestos-Cement Pipeline Steven Nash and Tim McClure The trial project is the rehabilitation of 230m of 100mm diameter AC water main, constructed in 1968, located in a residential area nature strip. This presentation will review success and lessons learnt including: • Approval process • Project team members • Communication plan and feedback • Scope of works • Construction program • Costs of the project (monetary, carbon footprint, etc) • Rehabilitation efficiency • Comparison to other options • Standard guidelines • Sampling analysis results EPR could become a future viable option for rehabilitation of AC pipes.