With fifteen years experience in sewer main rehabilitation around Australia using a number of specialised trenchless technologies it was an obvious step for Kembla Watertech to expand into the water renewal market [see article on page 12]. Since the inception of Kembla’s water renewal division the total length of water main renewed by the company using pipe bursting technology exceeded seven km.
Pipe bursting Pipe bursting is equally at home in water and pressure main renewal work. Kembla has its own pipe bursting equipment operated by full time staff with many years experience. There are major savings in using pipe bursting instead of excavation to replace old pressure pipes.
Kembla creating firsts for SA
A recent project undertaken by the water renewal crew was in the town of Milang on the foreshore of Lake Alexandria in South Australia.
Article continues below…Kembla offered an alternative to SA Water for the replacement of approximately 4 km of reinforced concrete water main. The project was the first time that SA Water had trialled pipe bursting of reticulation water mains.
Providing for Brisbane Water
Brisbane Water is a commercialised business unit of the Brisbane City Council, providing water and wastewater services to almost one million consumers. The company manages the maintenance and operation of 13,000 km of wastewater pipes and water supply pipes. The company provides water and wastewater related services to the Brisbane community. Brisbane Water also supplies water to six neighbouring local authorities and provides specialist consultancy and contract services to other water utilities and businesses across Australia.
Brisbane Water has formed a panel of four providers for water main renewals. Kembla, having completed a number of sewer rehabilitation contracts for the water company, has been selected as one of these providers.
The contract covers a wide range of programs encompassing pressure management strategies, capacity improvement, renewal programs and system augmentation.
A range of construction techniques have been offered to meet the requirements of these programs including design and construction for conventional water main replacement, construction of new mains, installation of pressure reducing valves and flow meters. The introduction of trenchless and semi-trenchless techniques such as pipe bursting and directional drilling are also offered as part of Kembla’s services for this contract.
Kembla will work closely with Brisbane Water to introduce new water main renewal techniques to improve safety, minimise public disruption, improve sustainability and maximise value.
