American Canyon Rehabilitates Aging Steel Transmission Line by Pipe Bursting

摘要

In 2015 the California drought continued into its fourth year prompting the state of California and utilities to search for ways to preserve valuable potable water while finding alternative sources for agricultural water. On April 1, 2015, Executive Order B-29-15 was implemented to reduce potable water usage by 25%, remaining in effect until February 28, 2016.The City of American Canyon had an aging 14-inch steel transmission line from the 1940s that had become increasingly susceptible to leaks. As one of only two transmission lines, the line was critical to meeting the city’s daily water demands for both residential and commercial use. The rehabilitation of this line would aid in providing the city the mandated 25% reduction in potable water usage.While certain parts of the line could be patched, there was an approximately 7,400-foot segment that required complete replacement. The city explored options of line replacement and rehabilitation, keeping in mind the increased summer water demands and water use reduction goals. In the spring of 2015 the city decided that the most cost effective way to address the failing 14-inch steel transmission main was to rehabilitate the line using pipe bursting technology and 12-inch PVC pipe as the replacement pipe. Construction began in fall 2015 and was successfully completed in mid-February 2016.