Over One Million LF of Fusible PVC™ Pipe Installed by Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Throughout the U.S. and Canada

As utilities all across the U.S. and Canada tackle the challenges of rehabilitating and expanding aging water distribution and wastewater collection networks, they are increasingly turning to trenchless installation methods to reduce costs and minimize disruption to the public. Horizontal directional drilling continues to grow in acceptance as utilities gain experience with the method and the number of skilled HDD contractors continues to expand. In many areas HDD has closed the installation cost gap versus direct bury, leading most utilities and design engineers to contemplate HDD alternatives in the design phase of their projects.

Prior to 2004, the primary pipe material used in HDD applications was HDPE, limiting alternatives available to utilities, engineers and contractors. PVC pipe, already prevalent in many utility infrastructure networks, now accounts for more than 70% of the new water pipelines installed in the U.S. The steady growth of PVC pipe can be linked directly to its combination of high strength, light weight, durability, corrosion resistance, and proven performance record over the past half century in both potable water and wastewater applications. With its superior resistance to hydrocarbon permeation and oxidation by chlorine based disinfectants, PVC pipe has proven to be an ideal choice to ensure safe, reliable drinking water with a long service life.

The convergence of these two major trends (adoption of trenchless methods and the shift to PVC pipe) has increasingly made Fusible PVC™ pipe systems the optimal choice for many projects, allowing utilities to save money, maintain material continuity, and simplify maintenance. Since its introduction in 2004, Fusible PVC™ pipe has gained rapid acceptance as a cost effective HDD solution through hundreds of competitive municipal and industrial project bids, and has established an outstanding operating record in over 500 in-service installations.

Milestones:

• More than one million LF installed by HDD
• More than 2,000 drills completed
• Long HDD crossings (uncased): 5,120 LF (10") and 4,400 LF (24")

Advantages of Fusible PVC™ Pipe:

• Use standard fittings to reconnect to PVC and ductile iron pipe
• Eliminates electro-fused couplings or in-pit fusion of adaptors
• Simplifies maintenance and fittings inventory
• Smaller OD for given ID and pressure class
• Reduces HDD borehole diameter
• Eliminates expensive transition/reducer pieces
• Reduces size/cost of associated valves and fittings
• Greater pull strength and less pipe weight
• More than 2X the tensile strength and pull force of HDPE
• No relaxation period required for reconnection
• May enable use of a smaller HDD rig
• Greater ring stiffness ideal for deep HDD installations

One prominent national HDD contractor recently remarked: "Fusible PVC™ pipe is allowing us to establish a new frontier in HDD applications with plastic pipe. UGSI's project management and engineering support are outstanding and help ensure project success."

Clay County, FL: 45,000' 6"-20"

St. Johns Island, SC: 20,000' 24"

Xenia RWD, IA: 32,000' 14"-30"

Fernley, NV: 1,450' 24"

Maple Lake, MN: 28,000' 10"-16"

Broomfield, CO: 14,000' 12"-24"

OH Force Mains: >50,000' 8"-24"

Honolulu, HI: 8", 10" & 20" Bundle

Beaufort, SC: 5,120' 10"

Thornton, CO: 12" Gravity Sewer

Denver, CO: 20" Casing, 12" Carrier

Ft. Lauderdale, FL: 500' 30"