JEA Water Main Replaced by Pre-Chlorinated Pipe Bursting with Fusible C-900® pipe in Jacksonville FL

Faced with a shallow 8" cast iron water main with a history of leaks running under a Florida state road, JEA's engineering department decided to utilize a construction approach that would minimize disruption to the neighborhood and traffic flow. JEA selected Murphy Pipeline Contractors Inc. of Jacksonville, FL to complete a series of 400 LF pre-chlorinated pipe bursts to upgrade the problematic stretch of water main. The project was completed in spring 2010, requiring no temporary bypass lines and limiting water service interruption to area homes and businesses to only four to six hours.

Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) supplied the 8" Fusible C-900® pipe, with fusion services performed by Bruders Boring Llc of Palm Coast FL. Traffic control was necessary around the entry and pull pits, but otherwise traffic was not interrupted. Residential services were immediately reconnected upon reaching the end of the pull using standard PVC pipe saddle connections, along with new control valves and hydrants.

The entire process was observed by JEA engineering, maintenance, and construction personnel. Also on site was PBS&J Engineering, representing Florida DOT to observe the effect of pipe bursting on the state road. The roadway experienced minor heaving and cracking during the pullback due to the 20" - 24" depth of the water main, but subsided to near normal elevation following project completion.

JEA personnel stated that the standard tap saddles gave them a positive connection with no failures and noted that Fusible PVC™ pipe will allow them to perform repairs and modifications in the future using standard supplies and maintenance crews.

For additional information please contact Richard Neal at (407) 399-1662 or by e-mail at rneal@undergroundsolutions.com