TDM Pipeline Solutions’ recent renewal works at Marengo Basin highlight the power of innovation, collaboration, and trenchless technology to secure reliable drinking water for coastal communities.
Just 3km southwest of Apollo Bay lies Marengo Basin, a critical storage point in the local water supply network. The basin collects raw water diverted from the Barham River in the southern Otways before it is transferred to the Apollo Bay Water Treatment Plant. There, the water is treated to drinking quality and delivered to the communities of Apollo Bay, Marengo, and Skenes Creek.
Since its construction in 1980, Marengo Basin has been central to the region’s water security. To ensure it continues to meet the needs of these growing coastal townships, Barwon Water recently carried out a program of dam safety maintenance and critical pipeline renewal works. A central component of these works was the rehabilitation of a 58m DN300 concrete potable water pipeline that had deteriorated badly over time.
“The pipe was in a very poor condition from wear and tear and getting old,” said Brian Matthews, Operations Manager at TDM Pipeline Solutions, the contractor engaged to deliver the renewal.
TDM Pipeline Solutions brought over extensive experience in trenchless maintenance and rehabilitation of pipeline infrastructure across Australia.
Matthews said the team knew immediately that conventional methods such as traditional full dig-and-replace would be more costly, disruptive, and less sustainable. Instead, they looked to relining technology that could provide a faster and cleaner outcome.
The solution chosen was the SAERTEX-LINER® H2O, manufactured by SAERTEX multiCom® and supplied exclusively through Pipe Core. This innovative GRP liner creates a new, fully structural pipe within the host pipe, restoring watertight performance and meeting the strictest international standards for drinking water. With a certified service life of 50 years, it offered Barwon Water a safe, cost-effective, and long-lasting renewal option.
“I’m a fan of SAERTEX-LINER,” Matthews said. “It is easy to use and good. We have had no problems with installing it.”
The liner had already achieved key approvals for use in Australia and New Zealand, including appraisal by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) for potable water applications and certification to AS/NZS 4020 standards by the Australian Water Quality Centre. These endorsements provided further assurance that the solution was fit for such a high-profile project.
To prepare, the TDM Pipeline Solutions crew completed SAERTEX certified installer training for both pressure and gravity systems. Delivered at their warehouse by Alex Kaefer and Katharina Helming from SAERTEX multiCom, the training provided a mix of classroom learning and practical exercises.
“Alex and Katharina took us through one day of learning and one day of practical,” Matthews said.
“This certification, combined with our crew’s experience, gave us confidence in presenting trenchless renewal to our client over traditional methods like boring and dig-and-replace.”
Once onsite, the installation became a test of both preparation and perseverance. A crew of five, supported by Pipe Core and SAERTEX multiCom application engineers, set up in challenging conditions. Sun, rain, heavy winds, and even a bout of hail alternated throughout the works, requiring gazebos to protect the liner and the crew. Infiltration and overnight rain presented further complications, managed through pumps and a vacuum truck that kept water levels down.
“We were under some time pressure to stay on schedule,” Matthews said.
“That said, we could have installed immediately following the site preparation which we did between 11am and 4pm, but decided to wait until the next morning, starting fresh and performing the reline in comfort. If you follow a process, you won’t go wrong. Do the pre-work in the correct manner. We prepped really well and allowed enough time to do it properly. There was no need to increase pressure and get it wrong. Everything went well so this was obviously the right approach.”
The team carried out CCTV inspections and thorough high-pressure water cleaning, recycling the water on site with their Cappellotto truck. With the host pipe prepared, the SAERTEX-LINER was installed using TDM Pipeline Solutions UV curing rig. The reline was completed in two days, with another half day allocated for pressure testing.
For Matthews, the project was also a culmination of earlier exposure to the technology. “I discovered the technology at a presentation at local supplier Pipe Core and was keen to give it a try,” he said. “Alex Kaefer from SAERTEX multiCom is switched on, knowledgeable, easy to work with.”
The works were carried out with little community impact. Apart from temporary construction traffic, minimal noise, and dust, the project team operated with respect for local birdlife, animals, and native vegetation.
With Marengo Basin now returning to service, Barwon Water has strengthened the resilience of Apollo Bay’s water system. The upgrades undertaken by TDM Pipeline Solutions, with the support of SAERTEX multiCom and Pipe Core, not only ensure long-term supply reliability but also demonstrate the value of modern trenchless technologies in critical potable water applications. As M
atthews reflected, the project’s success was built on preparation, training, and teamwork. For the Apollo Bay community, it represents reassurance that their water security is being actively safeguarded. For TDM Pipeline Solutions, it signals a new chapter in delivering potable water renewals with confidence and precision.
For potable water installations, TDM Pipeline Solutions provides proven expertise.
For more information, visit pipecore.com.au
