A range of authorities from Victoria and interstate were invited by ‘us’ – Utility Services to attend the free seminar which was held at the company’s head office in the Melbourne suburb of Heatherton. In total, 22 representatives from utilities including Yarra Valley Water, City West Water, Melbourne Water, Hunter Water, Westernport Water, Goulburn Valley Water, Goulburn Murray Water, Lower Murray Water, Wannon Water, Barwon Water and IPLEX Group attended.

The seminar presentation was given by Wim Elzink, product manager for WAVIN, on Compact Pipe technology. WAVIN is Europe’s leading supplier of plastic pipe systems and manufactures the Compact Pipe system, which is then distributed in Australia by ‘us’ – Utility Services.

The Compact Pipe rehabilitation process results in a structurally independent PE pipe with the quality and durability of a newly installed pipe.

Rehabilitation of both pressure and non-pressure applications is possible and the method is especially advantageous when a pipeline is not accessible or is in heavy traffic areas where open trench construction is difficult or impossible.

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Wim has extensive expertise on the various practices used for no-dig technology and was able to share his know how with the audience.

Wim’s presentation was followed by a bus trip to South East Water’s trial site at Newson Street, Keysborough to see the product and associated technology, which includes a steaming control unit, winch, telemetry unit and drum trailer in action. Rehabilitation of 100 mm water mains, covering some 390 m was on display and the heating and steaming of Compact Pipe was performed in front of the delegation.

After returning to the ‘us’ – Utility Services office, a video was shown which detailed all the steps in the Compact pipe rehabilitation process from preparation to finish.

The lively discussion and feedback that followed made it clear that all attendees got something out of the seminar, and highlighted the fact that this new technology provides a viable pipe rehabilitation alternative as it is faster, more reliable and has a decreased impact on the environment and community.