Yes. Our engineers prepared a separate special report on this very issue.

Several Members have asked if some form of “trenchless technology” might be employed to refurbish the existing gravity system more economically than providing new low-pressure sewers. A February 2009 article published in LJWorld.com that described a low-cost sewer-relining project in Lawrence, Kansas, apparently prompted these questions.

The following trenchless technologies are widely available and proven for selected sewer repair applications:

• Cast In Place Pipe (CIPP) … employed in the 2009 Lawrence,
• Kansas Project
• Fold and Form Pipe
• Pipe Lining
• Pipe Bursting

Trenchless Technology was NOT recommended for use in the Hideout. BCM Engineers, our Master Plan Consultant, contacted the vendors and evaluated the costs, advantages, and disadvantages of each technology thoroughly as a potential alternative to low-pressure sewers. BCM concluded: “While Trenchless Technologies for pipe repair are available and are proven to be cost effective and practical in some situations, it is clear that the sanitary sewer system in the Hideout is not a good candidate”. When all cost components of trenchless technologies are considered for our Hideout application, BCM demonstrated that “there is no saving to be gained by using trenchless technology”. CIPP, the least expensive and simplest type of trenchless technology, is not suitable for “Truss Pipe”, which is the material used for the vast majority of existing sewers in the Hideout.

The evaluations and estimated costs of the trenchless technology options noted above are beyond the scope of this article but can certainly be made available to interested members for review.