FAQ

Q: What is Curapipe's Trenchless Automated Leakage Repair (TALR) solution?

A: Curapipe’s TALR solution repairs the many types of leaks typically found in urban potable water pipes many of which remain undetected by existing detection technologies.

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Q: Who needs TALR?

A: Any city that falls into one or more of the following categories: 

• High levels of leakage

• Strong demand to reduce energy and GHG levels 

• Regulatory requirements for reduction of leakage

• Aging buried water infrastructure

• High social and environmental awareness of water conservation

• Governmental policies and incentives for improving water shortages

 

Q: What diameters of mains are applicable for TALR?

A: Mains with diameters ranging between 50mm - 200mm.

 

Q: Can TALR be applied to any type and condition of pipeline?

A: The TALR procedure is designed to work with most types of pipelines (ferrous, plastic, cement, asbestos, etc.). The condition in general is that the pipe’s structural integrity needs to be in a satisfactory condition.

 

Q: Is the water supply shut off for the duration of the procedure and, if so, for how long?

A: Yes, the water supply must be shut off for the duration of the intervention typically between 6 to 8 hours..

 

Q: What is the typical length of the treated pipe section?

A: The length of the treated pipe section can vary but, typically, it stretches the distance between the fire hydrants used as the insertion and extraction points (i.e. typically between 100m – 400m).

 

Q: What if the network does not have available fire hydrants?

A: If no fire hydrants are available, other types of insertion and extraction points can be used such as air vents, laterals, or specially constructed insertion and extraction points at e.g., the valve control boxes).

 

Q: Does TALR also address leaks on service pipes connected to the mains?

A: Yes, it does. Leaks are sealed and cured in the same way, however, service valves/taps need to be closed off during the operation.

 

Q: Is TALR limited in the number, types, quantity or sizes of leaks?

A: The size of a typical leak would be between 30 liters per hour to 3,000 liters per hour. For all practical purposes, there is no limit on the number of leaks in the treated section and most leak types can be addressed. The aggregated quantity of leakage within the treated section may reach as high a rate as 200 cubic-meters-per-km-per-day.

 

Q: Under what pressure conditions can TALR be applied?

A: TALR is typically between 1 to 4 bars, depending on the maximum pressure the network can tolerate.

 

Q: What temperature fluctuation is the cured leak designed for?

A: -5º C to +40º C.

 

Q: Does the TALR procedure line the inner wall of the pipe?

A: No, TALR is different from trenchless liner technology. TALR pinpoints the leaks and surgically seals and cures them.  

 

Q: Does TALR also function well in tuberculated ferrous pipes?

A: The TALR solution uses a PIG train with PIGS that have built-in flexibility. This allows the PIG train to traverse a tuberculated pipe (up to 50% tuberculation) without the need for precleaning the pipe.

 

Q: Is TALR a short-term or long-term solution?

A: TALR is a long-term solution since it not only seals, but also permanently cures the leaks. The lifetime of the solution depends on the host pipe. In general, it lasts the remaining lifetime of the pipeline.

 

Q: Does the TALR solution also extend pipeline lifetime?

A: When TALR cures small and medium sized leaks before they develop into bursts or breaks, it can contribute to the delay of pipeline replacement.

 

Q: What about health and water quality issues for usage in potable water systems?  

A: The applied curing substance is designed not to leach any undesirable materials into the potable water. The procedure will usually require appropriate certification by local health authorities. In many  jurisdictions TALR is already certified.

 

Q: Is TALR designed as a replacement for ‘find-&-fix’ active leakage control?

A: No, on the contrary both solutions complement one another. Active leakage control takes care of the detectable leaks as they occur and is also applied for maintenance. TALR deals with bulk leakage reduction meaning if the utility is looking to significantly reduce its leakage levels by a certain percent.

 

Q: How does TALR have the potential for bulk leakage reduction?

A: TALR embraces important differentiators collectively underscoring the potential for bulk reduction of leakage. These include a low cost-per-meter of treatment, an automated rapid deployment mechanism and no urban social disruption.