Repairing a sewer pipeline system is no easy feat. It requires a heavy level of planning and preparation to gain a clear sense of the damage and limit environmental disruption. In addition, sometimes, the pipeline itself must be prepared for the machinery and trenchless pipelining repair process. A necessary step for many pipe repair projects is setting up temporary bypass pumping.
What is Sewer Bypass Pumping?
Ever wonder what happens to the sewage flow during a pipeline repair? For the most part, the answer is a sewer bypass. In order to properly repair a pipeline, the normal flow through the pipe must be diverted to leave a clear path for repair/liner installation. However, you’ll want the minimum disruption of regular service to the public. A sewer bypass pumping system can efficiently manage the existing flow quickly and ensure the pipeline remains in service during construction.
Preparing for a Smooth Bypass
Once damage and deterioration is present within a pipeline, it’s vital to complete a repair to prevent total failure of the system. Connect with pipelining professionals early on to schedule regular maintenance and prepare for any repairs or rehabilitations that need to occur within your pipeline system. Below are a few tips for ensuring a smooth sewer bypass pumping process.
Develop a Sewer Bypass Plan
The first step to a smooth sewer bypass pumping process is to develop the plan. Having a trusted and experienced team will ensure that your sewer bypass plan meets all requirements, such as the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) specification on bypass pumping which gives guidance on proper planning.
Know the Peak Flow
As part of your plan, you’ll need to consider the peak flow of your pipeline, which is the highest flow level possible with a given day (typically morning or late afternoon). If your pipeline repair team will be completing the sewer bypass pumping process during peak flow hours, they’ll need to come prepared with all the necessary equipment to successfully handle the flow.
Determine the Equipment Needed
The equipment will largely depend on the amount of flow and the depth of the pipeline. The deeper the sewer line, the more suction power is needed to lift and transport the existing flow. It is important to determine the total pressure required of the system, or the Total Dynamic Head (TDH).
A more powerful pump and larger piping network may be needed for systems that have large amounts of flow. Often, multiple pumps are utilized during one trenchless pipe rehab project, to ensure the maximum possible flow of the pipeline can be handled throughout the day.
Plan for Weather
Be mindful of the project location’s local weather and rainfall during the period of construction. More pumps/pumping power is always better than spills related to large rain events. This is especially true if rain events coincide with peak flow hours; having these plans and knowledge in place can mitigate the risk of sewage spills. However, with this risk present, it’s necessary to have a sewage spill response plan ready.
Maintain Highest Level Service
Disrupting the sewage service of the surrounding area is an unfortunate consequence of dealing with pipe repair projects. However, with an efficient sewer bypass pumping process, your team will be able to keep sewage service running to the best of their ability. Be sure to inform local residents that there may be minor disruptions to their sewage service during the repair.
Sewer Bypass for Pipeline Rehabilitation
Temporary bypass pumping is often a necessary component of pipe rehabilitation. It is also not inexpensive; bypass pumping for pipe rehabilitation often falls between 15% – 20% of the total cost of a bid. However, technologies like Spiral Wound lining can be installed in live flow which limits and in some cases eliminates the need for bypass pumping.
Contact us today to learn more about our solutions for trenchless pipeline rehabilitation.
