14-15 WIAA 09 – ExInno/Carb 6/7/09 3:58 pm Page 8
14 AWARD CATEGORIES
Most Innovative Use of an
Existing Technology
Morrison’s Tony Hanks; WET News’ Maureen Gaines; and Rhod
orrison Utility Services’ cutting-edge Hydrant Wizard worked excavation and reinstatement when repairing a straightforward leaking
M
its magic on the judging panel, which felt the technology was sluice valve.
the worthy winner of this category.
The Hydrant Wizard is designed to replace faulty hydrants without Leak reduction
interrupting supply. Premium Bermad UK’s was in the running with its flow modulator for
Part of the Morrison Utility Services’ work with Yorkshire Water has pressure reducing valves.
been to replace about 2,000 faulty fire hydrants annually. Leakage reduction through pressure management is well tried and
Using conventional techniques had contributed to 100,000-plus supply accepted in the industry. However, Premium Bermad says a robust, simple
interruptions a year. Its solution to the problem was the Hydrant Wizard, means of flow modulating has been “something of a holy grail” in the
which has been developed from the bagging-off technology originating industry until now.
from the oil and gas industries, does not interrupt supply. The company’s Model 7PM valve has filled this gap. Having identified
Supply interruptions have dropped from 700,000 in 2004/05 to 150,000 the criteria the product must meet, the company concluded that the best
in 2008/09. indicator was the valve itself. A link between valve position and outlet
The other finalists in this category gave Morrison Utility Services a good pressure provided the best tests
run for its money.
Greatest challenge
Jig system Saint-Gobain PAM UK proved innovative in adapting ductile iron pipe
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions was there with its Vertical Valve Injection technology for the replacement of the Tyneside North Circular Main. This
kit, a “simple solution” to repairing leaking water valves. came about when Northumbrian Water, MWH and Carrillion had to
The kit is an extended drilling and jig system that allows trained overcome a number of challenges and problems.
operatives to drill vertically through the valve chamber and access the The greatest challenge arose when the focus moved to the section of
valve gland. Once the drilling and tapping has been completed, a PTFE pipeline crossing Hadrian’s Wall, which has stood for 1,800-plus years.
gland repair material is injected into the void to fix the valve. Saint-Gobain developed a solution based on ductile iron technology where
The company says that the system provides a simple and practical trenchless techniques had to be used. This meant PAM Universal system
solution that removes the cost, complexity and disruption caused by and Rapid Ve joint were the best solution. WIAA 09
Review July 2009
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