City of Orlando, Florida Extends Eastern Reclaim Water Distribution System Using FPVC™

In October 2007, Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) contracted with Cathcart Construction Co. to provide Fusible PVC™ pipe and fusion services to complete the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) sections for the City of Orlando Eastern Reclaim Water Distribution System. The pipeline paralleled the Orlando Utility Commission power easement, and required crossing beneath two wet retention ponds and a running drainage creek.

Cathcart Project Estimator Jeff Turek said, "We chose FPVC™ in lieu of HDPE based on lower total installed cost at bid time." Jason Scarborough, Project Superintendent with Cathcart, preferred FPVC™ because it saved him time on connections since FPVC™ can be used with standard DIP fittings. Project specifications required upsized 30" HDPE DR11 (with additional transition fittings required to make connections), while the 24" FPVC™ required only one MJ restraint per elbow.

Subcontractor Chris Lamb, with Utility Services Authority, LLC, installed the FPVC™ pipe, requiring only 120,000 lbs. of pull force for the long drill, and only 40,000 lbs for the shorter drill section. The Utility Services Authority, LLC crew chief commented: "UGSI provided professional field service and extremely helpful technical assistance. I look forward to working with them again in the future. The HDD installation was completed on time and per specification." Bob Rutter, with the City of Orlando, agreed: "FPVC™ was a better value because it will allow us to perform future maintenance and modifications using our existing work force and standard warehouse materials."

Fusion

Pull-in

Equipment