Failing to Flawless in a Day: Pre-Chlorinated Pipe Bursting Invigorates Arlington Water Utilities Main Replacement Program

摘要

The City of Arlington Water Utilities, Texas (Arlington) maintains over 1,440 mi of water mains in their distribution system, including 588 mi of existing asbestos cement (AC) pipe. In 2015, 72% of the 533 water main breaks were on AC water mains. The emergency costs to repair these water mains was escalating and options for permanent repairs and a programmatic approach was needed. Like most municipalities, the Arlington Water Utilities needed to stretch available capital funds and sought innovative methods for replacing the AC water mains. The Arlington Water Utilities selected pre-chlorinated pipe bursting to install new HDPE in place while reducing customer impacts, minimizing capital spending and reducing operational costs. Murphy Pipelines, who specializes this technology, was awarded the project. To date, work has progressed replacing more than 13,000 linear feet of existing 6-in AC water main with new 8-in HDPE pipe. The majority of the work is in typical residential neighborhoods with a history of frequent water main breaks. Pre-chlorinated pipe bursting has dramatically reduced customer impacts and replaced more AC pipe with less capital funding. Use of pre-chlorinated pipe bursting also dramatically reduced the construction schedule.