Knoxville Live Sewer Pipeline Rehabilitation Project Earns Notable Media Coverage
Revitalization of vital access route receives national attention
Recently, Knoxville’s live sewer pipeline rehabilitation project was featured in CoatingsPro Magazine and Trenchless Technology Magazine, two reputable industry publications that showcase pioneering and impactful construction and coatings projects.
Both the CoatingsPro Magazine and Trenchless Technology Magazine feature stories discussing how, in 2022, the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) identified severe corrosion in a crucial 2,400-foot reinforced concrete sewer trunkline under Neyland Drive. This pipe runs underneath the vital access route to the University of Tennessee’s southern campus, including the historic Neyland Football Stadium, as well as other additional sports facilities. The challenge with this unique project was rehabilitating a significant pipe without interrupting Kuwahee Wastewater Treatment Plant operations, local traffic, or the community.
The project team considered the traditional dig-and-replace method, but the idea was eliminated due to the cost and topside disruptions. Instead, the team opted for a unique trenchless rehabilitation solution, contracted to A&W Coatings. A&W proposed using Warren Environmental’s high-build epoxy product, suitable for damp environments, applied at night under live sewer flows. This innovative solution eliminated the need for bypass pumping, saving KUB millions and ensuring timely project completion.
The intricate nature of rehabilitating the pipeline under live flows required meticulous safety measures and constant crew awareness. Max Silva, A&W Coatings’ Senior Project Manager, emphasized the critical importance of daily weather monitoring. “Nightly communication of flow monitoring and installed transducers ensured the space was safe to enter and this communication served our conscious well.”
Executed between June and November 2023, the project was completed four months ahead of schedule and saved $7-10 million in costs that would have been associated with bypass pumping.
Further, despite the risks associated with coating infrastructure during live sewer flows, the job was executed with meticulous planning, resulting in uninterrupted service for the Kuwahee Wastewater Treatment Plant and safety incidents.
To read these feature stories, please click on either of the following links: CoatingsPro Magazine (the article begins on page 34) and Trenchless Technology Magazine.
