Western Slopes Utilities completes emergency culvert repair in Colorado
BRECKENRIDGE, CO, Oct. 27, 2004 -- Western Slope Utilities Inc., (WSU), a licensee of Inliner Technologies, announces successfully completing the rehabilitation of a failing storm culvert located under Interstate 70, about 18 miles east of Breckenridge.
The contract was with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and involved installing Inliner's cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology to renew more than 170 linear feet of corrugated metal storm culvert pipe, which was deteriorated to the point of imminent failure.
The 24-inch culvert is 11,000 feet above sea level near the western portal of the Eisenhower Tunnel. The downstream end of the 170-foot pipe was 40 feet lower in elevation.
Due to the steep downgrade of the pipe, WSU determined that the traditional use of heated water to cure the pipe would yield unusually high hydrostatic head pressure during water inversion, possibly causing the liner to burst.
"We decided to use an air pressure inversion and Inliner's patent-pending steam curing process instead to negate the potential adverse consequences of water weight," said Dan Cohen, WSU operations director.
An additional environmental challenge existed. The area in which the pipe was located is home to a large lynx population. Because the outlet directed water into Straight Creek, the CDOT environmental division directed WSU to construct a temporary holding pond with an EPDM geomembrane liner to capture any styrene-laced cure water. WSU could then pump out and haul the water offsite to avoid any environmental contamination.
It took only 45 minutes to install the liner and the product was completely cured in three hours. The entire project, including the installation of a new inlet structure, was completed in one week with virtually no disruption to interstate traffic or environmental damage. Because Inliner's steam process does not create much wastewater byproduct, the containment pond was not needed.
"This was our first experience, not only with cured-in-place pipe, but any trenchless method," said Crawford. "We were really pleased with the outcome. Now we're planning more, including sliplining, shotcrete, and more CIPP projects."
About cured-in-place pipe
Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology allows rehabilitation of damaged underground wastewater and storm sewer pipe without excavating. The process reduces noise, traffic disturbance, and road damage-and can be done in a shorter time frame and for less cost than replacing existing lines. With Inliner's method, a felt sleeve-saturated with resin and coated with a waterproof layer-is inserted into the pipe. Hot water or steam is circulated through the sleeve, which hardens the resin. This material serves as a barrier between the damaged pipe and the wastewater that flows through it; or as a new stand-alone pipe.
About Western Slope Utilities
Founded in 1983, Western Slope Utilities installs and repairs water, sewer, and other conduit systems-and also installs snowmaking systems for ski resorts-throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. The company became a licensee of Inliner in 1994 and is qualified to operate in 14 western states. WSU currently has approximately 50 employees, and maintains headquarters in Breckenridge, Colo.
About Inliner Technologies
Inliner Technologies Inc. (www.inliner.net) is one of the largest CIPP companies in the U.S., with four licensees performing pipe renewal projects throughout the nation, including Reynolds Inc.; Western Slope Utilities; Kenny Construction Co.; and Lametti & Sons. Inliner Technologies' headquarters are in Paoli, Ind.
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