HydroTech was approached by Wellington Water in Wellington, New Zealand to secure a 450mm Earthenware stormwater pipe running under a major carridge way and critical water and telecommunication infastructure in the city’s central business district.

The pipe was installed more than 100 years ago and was failing in a number of sections, causing what is known as “tomos” to form underneath the carridge way.

Smart Lock sleeves were used to create bridges within the Earthenware pipe and directly underneath the critical infastructure, which reduced the risk of furhter pipe collapses or failures and gave valuable time for a permanent solution to be found. Even with major joint displacements and pipe failures along the asset, Smart Lock patches could be installed safely in critical locations.

In total 22, Smart Locks were used for this project, and the risk of pipe failure and creation of further tomos or voids has been significantly reduced. Wellington Water is now installing a new 750mm pipe by tradtional methods as a means of asset replacement.