Total and Wavin technology selected for water mains upgrade in South Africa

The Msunduzi Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, has selected Total and Wavin pipe technology for a water mains upgrade project in the capital of the province.

The municipality plans to upgrade 2.2km of aging metal water pipes as part of its ten-year plan to prevent leakages.

The Msunduzi Municipality decided to refurbish the inner city water mains without excavation in order to minimise inconvenience to its inhabitants. The old metal pipes will be burst and replaced with Wavin TSDOQ pipes, made from Total XSene XSC50 material.

Total’s technology is based on PE100-RC, high density polyethylene designed for pressure pipes. PE100-RC compounds enable the use of trenchless and sandbed-free installation techniques with a wide safety margin.

Trenchless technologies provide cost savings, avoid road closures and traffic detours and reduce the need for road and pavement repairs.

Wavin product manager Ralf Glanert said that the PE100-RC concept used in Wavin TSDOQ pipes was originally developed in partnership between the two companies.

"In the Pietermaritzburg pipe bursting project, the PE100-RC pipes were welded seamlessly into one long section and, in retaining all their strength, they were ideally suited to be pulled below ground through the existing pipe," he said.

"The slow crack growth resistance of XSene XSC50 means that surface damages during the burstlining and long time point loads are covered by the TSDOQ pipe."

Total Infrastructure & Construction business manager Marc van den Berg said: "Once installed, pipes made with our polyethylene are corrosion-free and designed to last for at least 100 years, making them very appealing to efficiency-minded utility companies looking for long-term, reliable solutions."

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Image: The Msunduzi Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, has selected Total and Wavin to upgrade its water mains. Photo: courtesy of Total.