SA Water is conducting a trial in metropolitan Adelaide in an effort to combat sewer blockages caused by tree root intrusion.
The innovative new technology entails a thin layer of high-density plastic liner made from 100 per cent reused material.
This lining is installed below ground between problematic trees and sewer connections on selected properties.
The barrier is installed by digging a hydrovac excavation line approximately 2 m deep and 150 mm wide.
The liners aim to restrict roots from moving towards the pipes without impacting the tree’s health.
Tree root intrusion is one of the leading causes of wastewater chokes or blockages.
This preventative measure is designed to minimise sewer overflows and protect the natural environment.
SA Water hopes this will reduce the need to excavate large areas of kerning, footpath and residential driveways.
The installation of root barrier technology comes in at just one-third of the cost of traditional wastewater connection replacement, according to SA Water, and takes less than a quarter of the time to install.
SA Water will use CCTV to monitor wastewater pipes over the three-year trial period to assess the viability of the technology in the hopes of securing it as a widespread future solution.
This new initiative, if successful, will save time and money, protecting pipes and customer connections without damaging the natural environment.
SA Water said it would also work with local councils and landscape architects to advise on the most suitable plants and trees to provide coverage that would also protect the underground infrastructure.
For more information visit the SA Water website.