Client: Ballina Shire Council and NSW Department of Commerce
Location: Ballina, NSW

Key Services Provided:

• Recommendations on pipes for spot testing and CCTV
• Provision of simple, easy to read maps for testing in the field
• Recommendations for remediation techniques

Overview

Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Department of Commerce aim to significantly increase water recycling within the Ballina Shire. Expansion of water recycling is currently constrained by saline infiltration into the sewer network leading to high salinity, limiting the recycling options available. High salinity also increases corrosion and average dry weather flow (ADWF).

Water Technology was part of a team investigating salinity infiltration to the Ballina sewer network. The purpose of the study was to identify and prioritise the nature and extent of the capital works required to significantly reduce saline and ADWF. To maximize cost effectiveness, an investigation technique of spot testing followed by camera inspection was employed. This offered a substantially cheaper alternative to traditional in-pipe flow gauging operations to narrow down the pipe lengths for detailed camera inspection.

The majority of ingress was found to be through failed rubber ring joints on earthenware pipe work (pictured). Council has been provided with recommendations as to the most cost effective remediation technique, which they can then use to prioritise future rectification works, e.g. full liner or spot repair using no dig technology.

Contact:

Steve Clark (steve.clark@watech.com.au)
Director
Phone 07 3103 4120 or 0429 020 862
PO Box 5700, West End QLD 4101