Client: City of Tea Tree Gully
Location: Butler Reserve, Banksia Park
Service: Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Relining
Plumbing & Pipeline Solutions (PPS) was engaged by the City of Tea Tree Gully to provide a long-term wastewater pipeline rehabilitation solution at Butler Reserve, a natural area located in the suburb of Banksia Park.
This project involved a 200-metre section of 225mm diameter fibro-cement pipe, originally constructed in the 1970s. It forms a critical part of the council’s Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS), transporting effluent from the second-largest catchment in the area. During peak flow periods, this pipeline handles flow rates exceeding 100 litres per second before discharging into the SA Water sewer main on Hancock Road.
In 2010, during a routine connection replacement at 279 Hancock Road, council’s maintenance team uncovered a severe issue: the upper half of the pipe wall was paper-thin in several areas. Given the importance of the pipeline—and its location near sensitive environmental features and residential properties—a solution was needed urgently to avoid the risk of failure and a potential environmental spill.
However, conventional pipe replacement methods involving excavation were not suitable. The alignment passed through a natural reserve with a significant creekline, large trees, and private properties, making open trenching unfeasible and highly disruptive.
PPS recommended a no-dig trenchless rehabilitation method using Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) relining. This technique would restore the structural integrity of the pipe by installing a seamless, jointless liner inside the existing pipe—without the need for excavation.
CIPP offered multiple benefits:
No need to dig or disturb the natural environment
Improved flow characteristics
Cost savings on restoration and reinstatement
Environmentally friendly with minimal community disruption
Fast turnaround with long-term durability
The project followed these key steps:
CCTV Inspection: PPS conducted an internal inspection to assess the condition of the pipeline, identify lateral connections, and confirm that the line was clear of obstructions.
Bypass Setup: A bypass system was installed to maintain service and avoid disruption to nearby households.
Liner Installation:
Using the inversion method, a resin-impregnated liner was fed into the host pipe through an upstream manhole and turned inside out using water pressure to ensure a close fit against the pipe walls.
Curing:
Once fully inserted, the liner was cured using hot water (80–85°C), which triggered a chemical reaction to harden the resin. Cold water was then introduced to cool and set the liner.
Reinstatement:
A robotic cutting unit reopened lateral connections, and a final CCTV inspection was completed to confirm installation quality.
200m of critical pipeline rehabilitated in a single liner installation within 12 hours
No disturbance to the natural reserve or local properties
Effluent flows resumed without disruption
No excavation required, significantly reducing project risk, cost, and environmental impact
The City of Tea Tree Gully now has a structurally sound pipeline that will provide reliable wastewater conveyance for years to come—without the need for disruptive or costly excavation.
Learn more about our wastewater services here or contact us today.