Five Trenchless Rehab Projects Save Failing Large Diameter Combined Sewer Structures in Albany, NY

Albany Department of Water & Water Supply maintains a combined sewer system containing many major components well over a century old. The Albany Water Board contracted a third-party inspection and assessment of approximately 2,600 LF of sewer within the Beaver Creek Combined Sewer District, a network that provides sanitary sewer and storm drainage for more than five square miles. Many sections of large diameter brick sewers were found to be obviously failing, including longitudinal fractures at pipe crowns running continuously along entire sewer sections, with bricks starting to fall out, indicating severe risk of failure and collapse. Stabilization and rehabilitation of these aging, failing structures was successfully completed with a centrifugally cast concrete pipe (CCCP) system, spincasting a fine aggregate composite concrete (FACC). Road closures and disruption to residents and businesses, including a hospital, were minimal. Work was completed on schedule, including the emergency change order, despite an unusually stormy season. The cost-effectiveness and quality of the repair was a huge success for Albany and is expected to add 50–75 years to the lifespan of these sewers.