HDR – Trans-river Sewer Interceptor (inverted siphon)
Project Name: PDMWD Trans-river Sewer Interceptor (inverted siphon)
Owner: Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Client: HDR Engineering
Clients Project Manager: Mandira Sudame
Project Type: Sewer condition assessment and hydro-cleaning
Construction Value: $36,390
Affordable Drain & Pipeline Services in conjunction with HDR Engineering, provided Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD) a unique opportunity to inspect a normally inaccessible system. In a joint effort between Affordable, Jamison Engineering, HDR, PDMWD and Arrieta Construction, we were able to complete an important, (but small) portion of a much larger, simultaneous project. The goal was to inspect via CCTV, dual 16” epoxy lined ductile iron forced sewer main over 1,600’ in length. In addition to a closed force main, this system also includes a siphon. As siphons run full by design, the challenge was figuring out how to de-water the pipe enough for a clear CCTV inspection. PDMWD was able to divert the flow leading to a valve vault structure where Jamison successfully removed a portion of the valves for cleaning and inspection access. Affordable and Jamison worked together to attach a solid 4” vacuum hose to the jet hose of the combo cleaning truck. The crews sent the assembly through the pipe and with the propulsion of the jet nozzle and assisted manpower, several hundred feet of hose reached the lowest point of the siphon. The result was the ability to vacuum out enough water to complete a thorough inspection of the pipe.
Key project elements:
- Completed demanding project with heavy coordination between PDMWD, engineers and multiple contractors.
- Provided the ability to inspect the condition of pipes leading through an environmentally sensitive area.
- Provided thorough reports of pipe conditions including digital videos and photos.
- Challenging bypass pumping
- Identified and inspected the removal and repair of core samples taken from the pipe from the inside.
- Confined space entries required.
Project Challenges:
- Heavy coordination between PDMWD, engineers and contractors required precise timing.
- CCTV inspection of dual parallel siphons.
- Jetting and removing large amounts of debris from dual siphons.
- Minimal access to structures and access points.
- No access into closed force main system.
Affordable Pipeline Services project solutions:
- Proper planning and communication produced ideal conditions and results.
- Utilized bypass pumping and combo jet-vac truck to clean and remove debris.
- Utilized confined space entry to remove (and replace) sections of large valves.
Benefits to Owner:
- Ability to view pipe condition of a normally closed system.
- Large amount of debris removed from system.
- Accurate and informative condition assessment
City of San Diego EPM Sewer Contract
Project Name: EPM CCTV of Sewer Mains and Manholes
Owner: City of San Diego Public Utilities Dept. EPM
Clients Project Manager: Margaret Llagas, Christina Paddack
Project Type: CCTV Sewer and MH Inspections
Construction Value: $517,711 annually for 5 years
Affordable Pipeline Services was awarded the contract for the CCTV inspection of selected sewer pipelines, manholes and junction structures for the City of San Diego EPM CCTV project. This contract consisted of televising approximately 65 miles (annually) of sewer mains and their associated manholes. The scope of work included performing CCTV inspections, providing management support, project management, and task area reports of inspection results of pipeline and manholes televised. Also included were weekly reporting status of inspections, access issues, blockages, major defects resulting in Red Flags and safety issues, public notification of work to be performed, traffic control and traffic control plans. Affordable Pipeline Services worked together with a team of Engineers from the City of San Diego to select, inspect, and complete all required bid items and specifications.
Key project elements:
- Finished work ahead of an aggressive work schedule (annually).
- Regularly accessed difficult, remote canyon/easement areas needed for CCTV.
- Night worked required for high traffic and high flow issues.
- Caltrans permits required for freeway access.
Project Challenges:
- Tight work schedule.
- High traffic volume areas.
- Widely scattered work area around the City of San Diego.
- Adapted NASSCO PACP coding specifications mid-project.
- Caltrans permitting process.
- Coordinate and access City of San Diego environmentally sensitive areas.
- Coordinate and access City of San Diego Park and Rec open space areas.
- Coordinate and access private property locations.
Affordable Pipeline Services project solutions:
- Multiple crews working day and night shifts.
- Consulted secondary traffic control company.
- Project management used desktop reconnaissance to plan efficiently.
- Affordable Pipeline Services crews maintain necessary training and certifications on all required software and coding.
- Caltrans permit submitted early in project due to expected delays.
- Worked with City of San Diego environmental engineers and park rangers to schedule and access all sensitive and open space areas in accordance with City guidelines.
- Worked with City of San Diego to create forms and notices to inform the public about the project and the reasons required to access their property.
