Pipe bursting enables rehabilitation of wastewater lines compromised by earthquake

Problem - A string of devastating earthquakes that began in 2010 in Christchurch, New Zealand, either destroyed or damaged most wastewater systems in the town and surrounding foothills. Years after the quakes, there are still hundreds of miles of gravity-fed clay sewer laterals that need rehabilitation or replacement.

Solution - Pipe bursting has proven to be not only one of the quickest techniques, but one of the least intrusive to landscape and property and lowest in overall cost. John Grant, general manager of Ditch Witch New Zealand, the HammerHead Trenchless Equipment distributor for New Zealand, has supplied 30 PortaBurst units. The 30-ton pipe bursting systems can be used to replace 2- to 6-inch lateral pipes. The units break down into three components and can be easily packed into rugged job sites in the hills. The compact unit is easy to transport and position while fully assembled and can be used at confined residential access points.

Result - Grant says that while his customers were at first just using the PortaBurst for replacing pipe under footpaths and driveways and around other utilities, they began choosing it for jobs that didn’t require it. 800/331-6653; www.hammerheadtrenchless.com.