Project Snapshot
- Client: 24/7 Distribution Centre in Yatala, QLD
- Problem: Collapsed sewer main causing health‑code breach notices
- Pipe Details: 150 mm asbestos‑cement pipe, 48 m run beneath warehouse floor
- Response Time: 2 hours onsite, full restoration in 6 hours
- Technologies Deployed: CCTV crawler, high‑pressure jetting, sectional pipe bursting, UV‑cured CIPP liner
1. The Challenge
1.1 Symptoms Reported
- Overflow from floor gullies near cold‑storage area
- Sewage odour infiltrating packing line
- Two forklifts forced offline due to spill contamination
1.2 Root‑Cause Investigation
Sequential camera passes revealed:
- Pipe Collapse: 60 % cross‑section loss at 31 m mark.
- Offset Joints: Five joints with ≥5 mm vertical displacement.
- Grease Build‑up: 8 mm layer on pipe walls due to in‑house canteen discharge.
“Shutting the loading bay even for half a day would cost tens of thousands in missed dispatch targets, so trenchless was non‑negotiable.”
— Operations Manager, SEQ Blocked Drains
2. Solution Delivered
Step‑by‑Step Remediation
- Flow Diversion – Deployed temporary above‑ground transfer pump to keep kitchens operational.
- High‑Pressure Jetting – 9 mm spinner nozzle at 5 000 PSI cut through grease and debris.
- Sectional Pipe Bursting – Replaced 4 m collapsed segment with 160 mm HD‑PE SDR 17 pipe.
- UV‑Cured CIPP Lining – Pulled‑in‑place liner installed across remaining 44 m; UV light train cured in 8 minutes.
- Final CCTV Verification – Confirmed smooth bore and grade compliance (<1 % deviation).
2.1 Equipment & Materials
| Equipment / Material | Purpose | Key Specification |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV Crawler | Locate collapse & offsets | 30 m push rod, self‑level camera |
| Jetting Unit | Remove grease & debris | 5 000 PSI, 80 L/min |
| Pipe Bursting Rig | Replace collapsed section | 35 kN pulling force |
| HD‑PE Pipe | New carrier pipe | 160 mm OD, 50‑year design life |
| UV‑CIPP Liner | Restore remaining run | 4 mm wall, styrene‑free resinv |