Wannon Water rolls out sewer rehabilitation program

25 September 2018

Wannon Water will use innovative technology to roll out a sewer rehabilitation project in Hamilton next month.

Sewer pipes at 28 sites across the city will be upgraded to help to ensure the long-term reliability and quality of the sewer network for the community.

Project manager asset creation Nathan Harders said Wannon Water has engaged contractor Insituform Pacific to strengthen and repair the damaged sections by winching a resin-saturated felt tube in the existing sewer main. This is then steam-cured so it hardens and creates a strong pipe-within-a-pipe.

“People in the nearby area may notice some steam and a resin-like odour while the process is taking place,” Mr Harders said. “This odour, which smells like new plastic, is safe and dissipates very quickly. The entire process is completed within a few hours and with minimal impact to residents.”

The contractors will be conducting site investigations in Hamilton this week and expect to begin the four week long relining process on October 1.

Mr Harders said the rehabilitation method has been used successfully around the world for more than 40 years. “It avoids the need for large-scale digging and replacement, therefore minimising disruptions for residents and businesses.

“With nearly 3000 kilometres of water and sewerage pipes across the region, an ongoing maintenance and renewal program is a major part of Wannon Water’s core business.”

Insituform Pacific have been awarded the contract to deliver Wannon Water’s sewer rehabilitation program for the next two years. The value of the first year of the contract is approximately $1.4 million.

The Hamilton work is part of a larger package which also includes rehabilitation of sewers in Coleraine, Portland, Warrnambool, Terang, Cobden and Camperdown. Once the Hamilton work is completed, the contractors will be moving onto Coleraine for a five-week relining program.