Faced with an extensive sewer relining project, Pipe Care turned to cutting-edge equipment from Hächler GmbH.
Pipe Care New Zealand general manager Martin Spies said he recognised early on the benefits the Hächler Climbolino E would bring to a large-scale rehabilitation project for the Marlborough District Council in the South Island of New Zealand.
Well before work commenced, he was exploring how this advanced equipment could enhance efficiency within the contract.
As a subcontractor, Pipe Care was tasked with relining over 200 lateral service pipes and more than 2000m of existing DN100 earthenware pipelines. Using the CIPP inversion method, the work spanned the towns of Picton and Blenheim, beginning in late September 2023 and continuing into early 2024.
At first, the project seemed straightforward, but it was soon discovered that approximately 20 DN100 wastewater mainlines also required rehabilitation, each with a significant number of branch lateral connections. This unexpected discovery expanded the project scope considerably. Pipe Care adapted swiftly, incorporating the DN100 mainlines, which ranged from 30–75m long, with up to five lateral connections per line.
While most of the sewer laterals served residential properties, the project also included schools, businesses, and public buildings. In Blenheim, the project covered a suburb with around 95 properties, while in Picton, it included 130 properties, including laterals along the main retail and business district.
Navigating the terrain required ingenuity. One main line had to be relined down a steep bank, while another, accessible only from an upstream point, was installed with precision to ensure a seamless seal with the downstream main connection.
The accuracy of Pipe Care’s lining team ensured that the lateral junction rehabilitation successfully overlapped and sealed each connection, preventing future issues.
A major factor in the project’s success was the Hächler Climbolino E electric milling robot, available through Pipe Core. This advanced equipment was instrumental in reinstating lateral connections after the CIPP lining process.
With its precise cutting capabilities and battery-powered operation, it allowed for faster, cleaner, and more efficient reinstatements without the constraints of traditional hydraulic or pneumatic cutters.
“Our biggest challenge was the number of reinstatements that we would need to do,” said Spies.
For this, efficiency was critical. Fortunately, one of Pipe Care’s operators excelled at lateral reinstatements, cutting through laterals in just ten minutes each with the Climbolino E.
“He was a natural,” Spies said.
Without the right equipment, these reinstatements could have caused major delays, frustrating the local community. The Hächler Climbolino E played a key role in maintaining the pace of the program, ensuring Pipe Care met its tight deadlines without compromising quality.
“It’s almost unbelievable that we managed without it—it has made our lives so much easier,” said Spies.
Looking for a complete solution, Spies turned to Pipe Core, a trusted supplier of relining materials and equipment in Australia and New Zealand. The Hächler Climbolino E, purchased from Pipe Core in 2023, proved to be an essential piece of equipment, helping Pipe Care efficiently reinstate laterals and maintain project momentum.
“Pipe Core was our obvious choice for the liner and resin,” he said.
Pipe Care used Pipe Core ProLiner, a robust and reliable liner, along with Pipe Core Epoxy Resin, ensuring the best possible outcome for the project.
Beyond the technical aspects, Pipe Care’s role extended to managing a range of subcontracted works, including hydro excavation, civil works to expose laterals and install rodding eyes, and reinstatement of hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and chipseal. The company also worked closely with affected property owners to keep them informed throughout the process, ensuring smooth execution and minimising disruptions.
With seamless coordination between Pipe Care, the main contractor, and the principal, the works were completed on time, meeting all health, safety, and environmental standards.
Despite the scope and scale of the project, there were no complaints from affected property owners or the public, even in high-traffic areas like Picton’s CBD.
By the project’s conclusion, Pipe Care had not only met but exceeded expectations, demonstrating the value of experience, innovation, and the right equipment. The success of this project underscores the importance of technical expertise and strategic partnerships in delivering high-quality infrastructure rehabilitation solutions.
This article was originally published by Trenchless Australasia and has been republished here with full permission. All content, including images and text, remains the property of Trenchless Australasia.
