Trenchless Renewal of a Main Water Pipeline in Groningen

In the heart of downtown Groningen, Netherlands, a cast iron drinking water pipeline from 1882 was renewed using the egeplast SLA® Barrier Pipe System via horizontal directional drilling. Due to the busy city center and difficult ground conditions, particularly precise and careful work was required.

Project Description

Renewal of the main water pipeline from 1882 in downtown Groningen

Challenges

Undercrossing of the Reitdiep
Possible soil contamination (foundations of the city wall, old pipelines and cables, explosive residues from World War II)

Solution

HDD drilling with egeplast SLA^® Barrier Pipes

Pipe System

204 m SLA^® Barrier Pipe, Dimension: 315 x 28.6 mm

Project Participants

Client	Waterbedrijf Groningen
Project Location	Groningen, City Center (Netherlands)
Distribution Partner	Conval Nederland BV
General Contractor	BAM Infra BV
Implementation of Directional Drilling	Van Leeuwen Sleufloze Technieken BV

Why did the main water pipeline need to be renewed?

The inverted siphon in downtown Groningen represents one of the city’s most important drinking water pipelines. It is located beneath the city wall of the Noorderhaven at the foot of the Reitdiep. Last year, during an inspection, the water utility of the province of Groningen discovered a hole in the nearly 140-year-old cast iron pipeline, which was caused by corrosion.

The solution for drinking water protection: egeplast SLA^® Barrier Pipe

Possible soil contamination from surrounding buildings as well as possible explosive residues from World War II led to high safety requirements. Foundations of the old city wall and other old pipelines and cables were also suspected to be in the ground. Under these special circumstances, the use of the egeplast SLA® Barrier Pipe System was ideal. The drinking water pressure pipe prevents the permeation of contaminants and thus enables permanent protection of the drinking water.

At a depth of 15 meters, the Groningen water utility renewed a total of 204 meters with the SLA® Barrier Pipe in OD 315 mm, SDR 11 for this project. The pipeline was installed beneath the Reitdiep canal using the HDD method within 1.5 hours. Through trenchless installation, the construction site could be kept relatively small in order not to disrupt the lively tourism in the beautiful city center of Groningen. “The installation at this depth as an undercrossing of the Reitdiep canal in the heart of Groningen presented us with a major challenge,” explains Johannes Zandstra from the installation company BAM Infra BV. “We had to keep an eye on the entire above-ground and underground infrastructure.” “For such an important main artery in our water network, which also guarantees a reliable supply of drinking water in the future, very good preparation, experienced partners, and first-class material on the construction site are required,” adds Dick van de Weerd from the utility Waterbedrijf Groningen.

Construction Site Video on the Renewal of the Drinking Water Pipeline in Groningen

The construction site video shows the renewal of the main water pipeline from 1882 in downtown Groningen. The video is in Dutch, but the application of directional drilling can be clearly seen. In addition, the installation of the SLA^® Barrier Pipe System and the location at the canal in Groningen are visible. The video was created and published by OGG Radio en Televisie.

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