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LATERAL
PROBLEMS
The recent inflow and infiltration (I&I) reduction programs
from the EPA have focused mostly on the repair and replacement
of sewer
and water mains. These programs like CMOM (Capacity Management
Operation and Maintenance) have mandated several municipalities
to reduce sanitary
sewer overflows (SSO) and combined sewer overflows (CSO). The answer
for many municipalities has been to line the failing sewer or water
mains or to pipe burst the existing sewer and water mains. However,
little attention had been focused on the problems with leaking
and failing laterals (service lines to the homes or business).
The EPA has now determined that failing lateral service lines are
responsible for much of the total I&I that is occurring in the
sewer and water system. The solution for fixing I&I problems
on the mains is not always the same solution to fixing the laterals.
Often there is not enough capacity in the existing laterals to
justify relining. Also, the laterals or service lines are often
located underneath
well-landscaped yards, an entryway, a shipping or receiving bay,
a sidewalk or other obstacles. These factors play a big role in
why pipe bursting for service laterals is continuing to grow at
a rapid
pace.
LATERAL PIPE BURSTING SOLUTION
Pipe bursting service laterals can significantly help reduce
I&I
and with the upsizing capabilities of the method, it is often a best
solution for lateral I&I problems. PUCC has recently replaced
several lateral services through bursting in Jacksonville, Fl.
The method is fast, inexpensive (compared to dig and replace
methods) and very valuable socially to the homeowners and business
owners
that were affected.
Lateral Pipe Bursting is accomplished with some very easy and quick
steps:
First, a pit is dug near the home to place our lateral bursting rig
Second, a pit near the main line is dug
Third, the main is disconnected from the service line
Fourth, the bursting head is inserted into the existing line with
the new HDPE attached
Fifth, the new line is pulled through the existing line and the
service lateral is connected to the main.
PUCC continues to utilize pipe bursting for laterals as often as
possible. Lateral pipe bursting is a very cost effective and important
method for overall I/I reduction.
SEWER SERVICE CONNECTIONS WHEN PIPE BURSTING SEWER LINES
Studies have shown that services account for roughly half of Inflow/Infiltration
problems. Water tables in trenches are raised when problems associated
with the main are corrected. So, if the service reconnects are not
watertight, return on investment spent on correcting the main is diminished.
Therefore, whenever possible hard reconnections at services are advisable
when addressing Inflow/Infiltration problems. Most agree that a hard
reconnect is the most cost effective method to solve Inflow/Infiltration
problems.
Because service connections are fragmented along with the main during
the pipe burst process, services associated with pipe bursting must
be reconnected with a hard reconnect at the main.
The types of sewer connections to a sewer main are:
Electrofuse Saddle
Rubber Saddle
PVC Saddle
Inserta Tee (Registered Patent)
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