The City of Taylor, MI, has prioritized master planning efforts to analyze its water distribution system since 1982. Maintaining that plan and proactively designing improvements within targeted residential areas are ongoing components of our continuing engineering services for the City, a longtime client. Aging water main has been rehabilitated or replaced and smaller water mains have been upsized to improve flows and pressure. Most of these improvements have been completed using pre-chlorinated pipe bursting and directional drilling techniques to minimize construction impacts and cost.

Trenchless installation methods have proven effective in placing new pipe within existing easements and rights-of-way, minimizing the challenges of aligning new utilities within congested and built-up areas. The approach has also helped avoid unforeseen utility conflicts and preserve trees, driveways, sidewalks, and the character of neighborhoods. To date, the City has placed approximately 48,150 linear feet of fusible polyvinyl chloride pipe through pre-chlorinated pipe bursting and 16,430 linear feet of PVC pipe through directional drilling. Wade Trim is continuing to work with the City to develop water system improvements based on system age and high priority areas as outlined in its Water Master Plan. Construction is expected to begin in June 2019 on 15,650 linear feet of water main using pipe bursting techniques in the area west of Telegraph Road and South of Van Born Road.

Wade Trim Project Manager Kelly McRobb-Ackland, PE, presented how this trenchless approach has benefited Taylor’s water distribution system improvements at the North American Society for Trenchless Technology’s (NASTT) 2019 No-Dig Show in Chicago, IL.