Rising Sewer Mains

Image of sewer mains above ground

SEWER RISING MAIN FAILURES CAN BE BOTH COSTLY AND CATASTROPHIC

Prioritising the health of these assets is crucial for the UK’s water and sewerage companies and that’s where we can help.

THE PROBLEM OF SEWER RISING MAIN CORROSION

Sewage and the gases it produces can be aggressive to pipelines, leading to extensive internal deterioration and increased pipe wall deterioration rates.  

Gases like hydrogen sulphide (H2S) create a corrosive environment, with distinct corrosion patterns forming on the internal pipe wall surface. Erosion due to scour is also a leading cause of sewer main pipe wall deterioration.

This corrosion can, over a relatively short period of time, cause significant risk of pipe barrel fracture where loading is high, or leakage where loading is low.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We are experts in identifying and quantifying these types of pipe wall defects using imaging software to interpret inspection data.

Our team offers sewer rising main non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection, condition assessment and failure investigations.

During condition assessment, pressure and external pipeline loading, together with current pipeline condition are used to predict the likelihood of failure, the operating factors of safety, and the remaining life to pipeline failures.

Our inspection processes target identifying pipe wall deterioration patterns that can influence failures.

We can predict in-service water and sewage pipeline current and future leakage and structural performance capabilities through detailed pipeline inspection at selected locations, and statistical and structural analysis.

The inspection data is analysed to provide estimates of current and future patterns of leakage and structural failures, under the pipes loading conditions.

Pipe materials we can assess:

ASBESTOS CEMENT / CONCRETE

Cast iron

STEEL

PLASTICS

THE IMPORTANCE OF AIR VALVE MONITORING

Sewer rising mains can suffer more regular, high-pressure surge loading, due to trapped gases from gas production and cyclic pump operations. Air valves are important to minimise accumulation of gases and, in some cases, allow air ingress.

Control of air in sewer rising mains is important to maintain pump efficiency, however, we find that many air valves are inoperative, risking the integrity of pipelines over time.

OurSSIRENair valve monitor can help you determine the operability and performance of sewer rising main air valves.

Get a quote!

Looking to ensure your sewer rising mains and their air valves remain healthy? Contact us now on01670 739999.