Water Pipeline Rehabilitation Project - East
Project Details
East Madison:
Project Information
What is Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP)?
Cured-in-Place Pipe, or CIPP, is a soft fabric linear installed inside the existing old pipe and is filled with epoxy resin. The fabric liner is inflated so it can fit tightly against the inside of the old pipe. It is then cured with hot water or steam to harden the liner. Once cured, it forms a new pipe inside the old water main.
After the new pipe is in place, service connections are reopened from inside the pipe using robotic equipment. The finished water main is then pressure tested, disinfected, sampled, and tested before it is put back into service.
The CIPP pipes will have full structural strength of a ductile iron pipe and are expected to last at least 50 years before additional maintenance needs to be considered.
CIPP Project Overview
The streets of Ferris Ave, Woodvale Dr, Woodvale Cir, Marg St, Meredithe Ave, and Fleetwood Ave will be part of Madison Water Utility 2026 CIPP Project. 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 old 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 for this project will be working on-site along with Madison Water Utility crews. This project helps improve water service, water quality, and fire protection.
During construction, street parking in the area will not be allowed. There will be short-term closures during off-peak traffic.
Temporary Water Service During Construction
During construction, the existing water main must be taken out of service. Customers directly affected by this work will receive water through a temporary above-ground drinking water system. The map below shows the homes that are expected to be connected to the temporary water system during construction. Customers connected to the temporary system will continue to receive drinking water while the existing water main is out of service.
The temporary water system will be disinfected, sampled, and tested using the same process used for new City of Madison water mains. Driveway and road crossings will be ramped up or buried so vehicles can still access homes and travel through the area.
Some affected properties may have their water meter removed during the project. The meter will be reinstalled after the water main work is complete.
The map below shows homes that will be connected to a temporary water system during construction, as the existing water main must be taken out of service. 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.
Madison's History Using CIPP
Madison was the first city in Wisconsin to restore old water pipes using Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) relining methods. The process allows Madison Water Utility (MWU) to create a new pipe inside an old water pipe without digging up the street for a full replacement.
This will be Madison Water Utility's fourteenth 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.
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.
The liner, called Aquapipe®, is designed for water main rehabilitation and meets drinking water requirements. It forms a strong new pipe inside the old water main.
Licensed contractors have installed more than 600 miles of Aquapipe® in cities across North America, Australia, and Asia.
Using CIPP for this project will help reduce future water main breaks, improve water flow, and support water quality in the area. It also allows the work to be done at a lower cost than full water main replacement.