Problem:

Miami-Dade’s Department of Transportation and Public Works needed to restore capacity to a 110-foot section of 60-inch stormwater pipe which was experiencing reduced capacity due to a buildup of sand.

Solution:

To prepare for the cleaning, an inspection was performed using USST’s pipe profiling sonar unit on their combined Sonar/CCTV truck with PACP Certified operator to give the crew visibility to conditions inside 60- inch pipe. The inspection was performed through an access point in the right of way requiring a Maintenance of Traffic permit; one lane of traffic was closed in order to access the upstream manhole.

USST’s unique Combination3® truck with extended boom, downhole pump, and jetter were utilized to travel the 110-foot length of pipe. The crew accessed the pipe from the outfall in the Miami River and cleaned towards the upstream manhole, removing sand while under surcharged conditions.

Water from inside the pipe was used during USST’s GritGone Process® and no outside water source or drain down was needed to complete the project. A post-cleaning inspection was also completed by USST to confirm all material had been removed.

Results:

32-tons of sand were removed from the pipes, restoring approximately 30% of its capacity and without having to drain it down or resort to confined space entry. The Miami-Dade project was completed quickly, safely, and on schedule.

View the entire case study here.