For over ten years Pipe Management Australia has developed an advanced skill set for drain cleaning and conducting CCTV inspections of stormwater drain networks.
Stormwater drains play a vital role in reducing flooding and moving water around our towns and cities largely unseen. That is unless they become damaged or blocked, especially when they have not been regularly inspected or maintained.
Some drains have gone decades without an inspection which can lead to a build-up of silt and debris within the line. This can result in complete blockages or reduced hydraulic capacity of the line. When the next rainfall event occurs, these blocked drains can result in flash flooding. The very asset that was installed to reduce flooding can become the cause of it when not maintained.
To assist local councils, developers and infrastructure managers, Pipe Management Australia (PMA) has spent over 10 years refining our drain cleaning capabilities. With more than 90 specialty vehicles, PMA crews are equipped with the right tools for any job.
Asset Handover CCTV Inspection & Drain Cleaning
PMA is recognised for delivering asset handover inspections and drain cleaning as a deliverable on the completion stage of infrastructure projects.
PMA’s recycling unit conducting drain cleaning.
Recently, PMA provided night-works on a road project which involved the installation of new drains. The Client required the drains to be cleaned and inspected via CCTV prior to the end of the project. PMA’s experienced vacuum truck operators provided cleaning of the line to remove silt and other debris which had built up during construction.
Drain Cleaning near Harbour Town
The stormwater drain was then inspected with a CCTV tractor unit to show that the asset was clean and in optimum condition for asset handover.
A major reason PMA was selected for this task was due to our experience working in tidally affected drains.
Tidal Drains
With extensive experience in South East Queensland and around Sydney Harbour, Pipe Management Australia has developed a methodology and equipment for conducting drain cleaning in tidal areas. To create a dry work area, PMA uses bypass plugs or cofferdams. This reduces the impact of tides during drain cleaning and CCTV Inspections.
Bypass plugs being offloaded for installation on a tidal project.
PMA’s Swedish designed cofferdam solution can be installed around the entrance of a drain. Excess water is then removed via pumps to create a dry work zone free of tidal influence.
As an alternative option, a bypass plug can be installed within the drain and inflated to block water from flowing back into the dry work area whilst allowing the drain upstream to be dewatered. These solutions have helped to extend PMA’s work time for drain cleaning procedures. This ultimately speeds up the completion of a project.
A plug inserted into a drain to create a dry work zone.
Removing Roots
Roots are a common cause of blockages and damage within a stormwater drain. PMA has a full suite of equipment for assessing and removing roots on behalf of councils across Australia.
A CCTV Technician watches as pressure jetting is applied to a root mass.
Recently, PMA responded to a request from a valued Client in Queensland to provide drain cleaning and CCTV inspection. A large mass of roots was discovered within the drain. PMA’s warthog style nozzle and root cutter were used to help remove the roots, while our CCTV unit provided a visual for our operators.
A PMA Vacuum Truck operator inspects a warthog style nozzle.
For more invasive roots, PMA has a range of robotic camera units fitted with grinding, cutting and pressure jetting capabilities. These robotic units are ideal for root removal and other pipe repairs. In addition, PMA provides patching and relining services to rehabilitate drains that are cracked or damaged by root impact.
A nozzle attachment for removing roots from drains.
It is this combination of CCTV, robotics, tidal experience and drain cleaning that has led to PMA being recognised across Australia as a full-service asset management business.
To learn more about how PMA can assist with your next drain cleaning or CCTV project, request a quote today.
