Water Pipeline Rehabilitation Project

What is Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP)? 

Madison was the first city in Wisconsin to rehabilitate aging water pipelines using Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) relining methods. The process allows Madison Water Utility (MWU) to create a new pipe inside the old, deteriorating water pipeline without digging up the street for a full replacement, saving both time and money. 

This water pipeline rehabilitation project will use the CIPP lining technology, a process where a woven fabric tube is saturated with a liquid epoxy resin, pulled through the inside of the deteriorated pipe, and then inflated and cured with hot water or steam to form a new plastic pipe inside the old pipe. The rehabilitated pipes have full structural strength (more than simply a coating or lining inside the old pipe) and are expected to last at least 50 years before additional maintenance needs to be considered.

This will be Madison Water Utility’s thirteenth year doing water pipeline rehabilitation contracts in this manner.  We have been working with and receiving assistance from WI Department of Natural Resources (DNR) over the years to develop, evaluate, and refine successful specifications for this technology. 

Image credit: Madison Water Utility

CIPP Project Overview

Madison Water Utility is committed to delivering innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions to improve water service, water quality and fire protection throughout our system. This requires continual investment in our distribution system. In the coming months, one of these distribution system improvements is proposed to take place in your neighborhood and we want to provide you with some information regarding the proposed project. 

In order to ensure a safe and efficient working environment, street parking within these areas will be prohibited during the project, and there will be short-term, off-peak closures to through traffic.

These street segments were selected primarily because of their history of water main breaks. The CIPP process allows a new pipe to be constructed inside of the existing deteriorated pipe, with minimal excavation in the street. The structural liner is designed to meet the physical strength properties of a new pipe. The contractor that is awarded the contract for this work will be working on-site along with Madison Water Utility crews.

During construction, the existing water main must be taken out of service. Affected customers will be provided water service through an above-ground, temporary drinking water system. The temporary system is disinfected, sampled and tested using the same procedures as all City of Madison water pipe installations. Driveway and roadway crossings of the bypass system will be ramped or buried to maintain vehicular access and traffic flow during construction. 

While being served on the bypass system, affected properties could have their existing water meter removed and then reinstalled once the rehabilitation is complete. 

Water Supply and Water Quality Benefits

Use of CIPP technology in the MWU water system meets the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard 61 for drinking water health and safety. This certification is required by the DNR to ensure water meets all standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act.

Aquapipe® is the structural liner used to complete water pipeline rehabilitation projects. The liner is designed and manufactured with mechanical properties that exceed all specifications and meet drinking water requirements. 

Madison was the first city in Wisconsin to use this technology, however, licensed contractors have installed over 600 miles of Aquapipe® with more than 60,000 service connections throughout 500 cities in North America and Australia, and Asia. Learn more about the technology on the Aquapipe® website.

Renewing this pipeline using CIPP will minimize breaks and improve both water quality and flow in the area at a reduced cost to the ratepayer. 

This Project Includes Two Phases: