Urban Utilities trials innovative robot technology in Australian-first

Downer's Water Services Delivery Manager Gordon Lynch with Urban Utilities Water Program Manager Jonathan Farrell.

In an Australian-first, Urban Utilities has trialled new robot-delivered trenchless technology which makes water main renewal more efficient, benefitting customers and the environment.

The state-of-the-art Resiline technology sprays a rapid-curing lining inside the pipe, relining it underground and removing the need for a traditional ‘lift and lay’ pipe excavation.

Urban Utilities completed the trial with project partners Downer, WSP and Wilsons Pipeline Solutions, rehabilitating a 90-metre section of underground pipe in Somerset in South East Queensland. 

Urban Utilities’ maintenance innovation lead Senthil Kumar said the new trenchless technology meant works that would have traditionally taken weeks could now take just a few days.

“This helps reduce our overall carbon footprint and can make essential works more cost-efficient,” Kumar said.

“The technology also has great potential to benefit our customers by allowing us to upgrade vital infrastructure underground without a need to excavate large sections of footpaths or roads.”

Urban Utilities’ water program manager Jonathan Farrell said that following the successful trial, Urban Utilities would investigate how the technology could be used as part of its existing pipeline renewal program, particularly in busy CBD or popular community areas.

“We’re responsible for maintaining a network of 9,000km of water pipes that supply water to more than 1.5 million people across South East Queensland and we’re always looking at ways we can improve outcomes for our environment and our customers,” Farrell said.

“This technology is a great example of Urban Utilities’ commitment to innovation and we’re proud to be part of this Australian-first trial.”

Urban Utilities has a record number of presentations at Ozwater’22. One of the most exciting presentations about the Australian-first state-of-the-art spray lining technology will be hosted by Urban Utilities’ Water Program Manager Jonathan Farrell and Downer Group’s Water Service Delivery Manager Gordon Lynch. They will be presenting ‘Australia’s first Resiline 320 sprayline trial for water main renewal’ at Ozwater ’22 on Wednesday, May 11 from 11.45am-12.10pm.