UV Pipe relining technology used to protect Gawler’s historic bridge

In a first for SA Water, cutting-edge pipe relining technology has been successfully trialled to repair a water main beneath the Gawler Mill Inn Bridge helping to preserve the heritage-listed structure.

While excavation is traditionally used to access and repair underground pipes, traditional methods could not be undertaken for this project due to the historical significance of the bridge – which was originally built in 1870.

SA Water’s Acting General Manager of Sustainable Infrastructure Peter Seltsikas said an innovative UV-cured pipe relining process was used to repair a leak on the underground water main without impacting the structure.

“This alternative method involved inserting a liner into the pipe from the above-ground access chamber, with a mounted UV light sent through the main, heating and curing the liner to set it in place,” Peter said.

“The UV light is emitted from a specialised ‘train’, which consists of high-intensity lamps mounted on a mobile carriage.

“As the train moves through the pipe, the light triggers a controlled chemical reaction that hardens and bonds the material to the pipe's interior, creating a durable, watertight seal.

“With a lifespan of approximately 100 years, the liner ensures safe, clean drinking water can continue to be provided through this section of the water network to the Gawler community well into the future.

“This project is a fantastic example of innovation at work, enabling our crews to repair a critical water main which runs beneath one of Gawler’s busiest thoroughfares, while preserving the integrity of the heritage-listed bridge.

“This was the first time in South Australia a UV liner has been used to repair a water main, and given its success, we will explore how we can use this relining technique on other complex jobs around the state going forward.

“With a vast network of infrastructure across South Australia, we need to keep challenging ourselves to explore different ways of maintaining our assets.”

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