TPi November 2018

Products & developments

Technology is key to fix leaky infrastructure New technologies to help repair leaky water infrastructure could provide the UK’s utility companies with a boost, according to Simon Drain, managing director of non-invasive pipe replacement firm Kobus Services. Businesses such as Kobus have been investing in pipe excavating solutions that bypass the time-consuming and often costly challenge of replacing leaking pipes buried beneath streets and properties. The company also highlights the fact that non-invasive pipe-pulling technology now exists to facilitate the removal of old lead piping with minimal disruption. The Kobus Pipe Puller virtually eliminates the problem of utility strikes. It extracts the old pipe from the ground and pulls the new pipe through the same borehole. As a result, there is minimal risk of potential strikes or damage to other utilities in the vicinity. It is estimated that the companies lose 3bn litres of water a day through broken pipes.

Traffic disruption, noise pollution and damage to consumers’ properties can all be minimised with the Kobus Pipe Puller. Only two relatively small excavations are required at each end of the pipe being extracted, which also eliminates excavations across roads. The speed of the Pipe Puller increases the number of service replacements possible in a single shift, reducing time spent on-site.

“Systems such as ours would enable utility companies to undertake remedial work without the need to dig up paths or people’s properties,” said Mr Drain. “It would be a win-win situation, allowing water companies to meet tough new targets while maintaining a good relationship with their customers.”

Kobus Services Ltd – UK info@kobusservices.com www.kobuspipepuller.com

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL November 2018

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