Demonstration and evaluation of an innovative water main rehabilitation technology: Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining

Abstract

As many water utilities are seeking new and innovative rehabilitation technologies to extend the life of their water distribution systems, information on the capabilities and applicability of new technologies is not always readily available from an independent source. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed an innovative technology demonstration program to meet this need. The purpose of the demonstration program is to evaluate rehabilitation technologies that have the potential to reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of the operation, maintenance, and renewal of aging water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems. This paper provides an impartial assessment of the effectiveness and cost of a cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining technology for water main rehabilitation. This project demonstrated an innovative Class IV rehabilitation technology that met the project requirements and as part of the evaluation, multiple utilities expressed their willingness to use the technology in the future. The demonstration provided valuable information on the design, installation, and QA/QC of CIPP used to rehabilitate water mains, and makes recommendations for continued improvements in the process used for internal reinstatement of services. One issue that requires more study is the effect of pre-rehabilitation cleaning process on the service connection reinstatement process. Other issues contributing to the need for external reinstatement that should be studied and improved upon include: flush service connections that cannot be identified in smaller diameter pipes and difficulty drilling service connections located in folds.