Note From The Editor
Greetings Discerning Readers,

Andy Mayer will never grow tired of climbing into muddy holes to watch old pipe burst into jagged pieces.  He is the president of Murphy Pipeline Contractors, Inc., and the fellow who introduced pre-chlorinated pipe-bursting to the U.S.  The often mud-covered Brit is usually mistaken for a shovel hand by visitors to his jobsite who ask him where they might find the boss.  He doesn’t mind, and actually prefers it that way; but if you want to spot him among everyone else on the jobsite, just look for the man who is always smiling.

We are standing on the edge of an open pit staring down at an exposed piece of corroded cast iron pipe that is about to be replaced with HDPE through pipe-bursting.  Mayer’s eyes become animated as he describes to the rest of the spectators what is about to happen.  Most of them – city officials, consultants, and engineers – look about as entertained as a cow staring at a new gate.  Then all of a sudden, the sides of the pit start to vibrate and Mayer’s voice goes up a couple of octaves and his body language turns into that of a boy describing his new bicycle.  Everyone eagerly leans in to get a better look. 

Considering that I had no idea of what to expect, the sight catches me quite unprepared along with the rest of the spectators and we all give simultaneous, expletives, as a huge chunk of the pipe shatters, exposing the pulling head which is being trailed by new HDPE.

Pre-chlorinated pipe-bursting is one of the most cost-effective methods of replacing pipes or upsizing them, that current technology has to offer. The practice is used in nearly 90% of water main replacement in the U.K. and is catching on, thanks to Mayer, in the U.S.  By using this system, the old-pipe is shattered into small pieces and pushed laterally into the surrounding earth. The original pipe diameter is replaced or upsized using an expander and the replacement HDPE pipe is then towed into the new borehole. Using this method on water mains costs less than traditional open-cut or relocation methods. One reason is that pre-chlorinated, pipe-bursting systems use existing utility location and easements which lower the design and engineering fees. Pre-chlorinating and pre-pressure testing the HDPE water main above ground, prior to installation, also provides significant cost savings and is key to the overall process.  Both procedures eliminate the expense and disruption of having to provide homeowners with a temporary water supply.

By working with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to spreadthe word about the benefits of using thepre-chlorinated pipe-bursting method,Mayer has been able to help water companies rapidly adopt the method for water main rehabilitation.

When asked if he sees himself more as a contractor or educator, Mayer replies with a grin, “You’ll never be able to keep me out of muddy holes.  But any good contractor has the responsibility to teach methodologies in his field that are more efficient, more affordable, a better value to the community along with being the most environmentally sound,” said Mayer.  “What is surprising to me however in the U.S. market is that a lot of utilities tell me they love the procedure but want to know if I can do it with a pipe other than HDPE.  My response is always, – ‘why in the world would you want to’?

Drew L. Wilson;
Editor

(918) 831-9286

McElroy In The News

Arizona Water Conservation Project Utilizes HDPE to save $125,000 on Pipeline Construction Tonopah, Arizona– One of the largest water wholesalers in the country got their first taste of what a growing number of water companies in the U.S. already know – the financial bottom-line for water projects using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the same color as the pipe – black.  Click here to read more

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McElroy Connections is published by McElroy Manufacturing Inc. The information contained within each issue is meant as a service to our customers, distributors, and those involved with Polyethylene Pipe applications.