Xenia Rural Water District and Underground Solutions Team-Up to Install 32,000 LF of Fusible C-905® Pipe via HDD

In December 2007 Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) contracted with Xenia Rural Water District of Bouton, IA to provide UGSI's Fusible C-905® pipe for the Horizontal Directional Drill (HDD) segments of a new water transmission main being installed in the Des Moines area. The District purchased additional pipe to meet future system expansion needs, as well.

Xenia Rural Water District serves 9,200 municipal and industrial customers over a 4,500 square mile service area in western Iowa. The District self-performs virtually all of its pipeline installation work, including directional drilling with its own drill rigs and pipe fusion machines. UGSI has licensed the District to perform Fusible PVC™ pipe fusion and has trained and qualified six operators to date.

HDD installations completed this summer with Fusible C-905® pipe included numerous crossings in Clive and Waukee, IA. Pipe fusion and installation commenced in April and continued throughout the summer, with further work planned for the fall and spring.

The District previously used HDPE pipe for most of its HDD installations. Following a detailed analysis, District personnel concluded Fusible PVC™ pipe was a more cost effective solution than HDPE based on: (1) smaller pipe OD for a given ID and pressure class, (2) lower pipe material cost, (3) smaller required bore hole, (4) higher safe pull force, and (5) compatibility with standard mechanical fittings for reconnection to ductile iron and bell-and-spigot PVC pipe.

Chad Johnson, Construction Inspector for the District, commented: "We'd rather pull Fusible PVC™ than any other pipe material. It goes in easier, connects quickly, and allows us to be more productive in the field." Matt Cooper, Construction Project Manager, indicated: "I have never seen a company that stands behind their products like UGSI. I am truly impressed with their commitment to the customer. I know in the future we will definitely be using more Fusible PVC™ pipe."

For additional information, reference contracts or to arrange a site visit, please contact Brett DeRousse.