Quick Pig System Debuts in Isles of Scilly Rising Main Replacement
Quick Pig System Debuts in Isles of Scilly Rising Main Replacement
Overview
When tasked with the replacement of the Abbey Pit rising main on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, Glanville Environmental faced the complex logistics of performing civil engineering work on a remote island. The original 63mm rising main, installed over 20 years ago, had seen a significant reduction in flow, leading to environmental spills. The main had transferred to South West Water in 2020, necessitating a reliable long-term solution for maintaining it without relying on traditional, heavy equipment, which would have been costly and logistically challenging to transport to the island - this is where the Quick Pig system came in.
To meet these challenges, Glanville Environmental collaborated with South West Water and industry partners to explore innovative technologies that could not only restore the rising main to full working order but also streamline future maintenance. Their solution—a first for the UK—reduced both the environmental footprint and the logistical burden associated with working in such a remote location.
Introducing the Quick-Pig System: An Innovative Solution
At the heart of the solution was the introduction of the Quick-Pig system, developed by Reinert-Ritz. Discovered by South West Water and Glanville representatives at a UK No-Dig event, the Quick-Pig system had not yet been used in the UK, but its potential to resolve logistical challenges without increasing the project’s duration made it an ideal fit for this project.
The system allows for easy and regular cleansing of the rising main without the need for heavy machinery. It operates by using pumped flows to propel a cleansing pig through the pipeline, avoiding the need to replace large portions of the pipe. Additionally, it eliminated the need for constructing large housing chambers, which would have required concrete bases and complicated the installation. This, combined with the ability to avoid disturbing the sensitive Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the island, marked a significant win for both environmental protection and project efficiency.
Client Satisfaction and Project Success
South West Water's embrace of the Quick-Pig system, combined with Glanville Environmental's careful design, led to the installation of five Quick-Pig units. Each unit was custom-built in Nordhorn, Germany, to meet the exact specifications of the pipeline’s diameter, depth, and ground conditions. Despite the bespoke nature of the product, the units were delivered within six weeks, keeping the project on schedule and ensuring completion before the island's busy tourist season.
Installation required minimal equipment—just a 5-tonne excavator, a 1-tonne dumper, and two personnel. The use of locally sourced recycled crushed glass as pipe bedding further enhanced the project's sustainability credentials. By using a waste product produced on the island, Glanville and South West Water demonstrated their commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting the local economy.
The collaboration between Glanville Environmental, South West Water, and Reinert-Ritz proved so successful that South West Water and their partners are now considering the Quick-Pig system for other rising mains on the Isles of Scilly, and even on the mainland where appropriate.
Health & Safety Benefits
The Quick-Pig system not only provided operational efficiency but also significantly enhanced the health and safety aspects of pipeline maintenance. Traditional methods, which often rely on heavy machinery such as tankers or jetters, were eliminated. Instead, all Quick-Pig locations are easily accessible by foot, and the system requires only two operatives to carry out the cleansing process.
There’s no need for large vehicles, and the risk of environmental contamination is minimised, as the system is sealed and controlled with a simple bayonet lock launcher, weighing under 10kg. Safety isolation valves ensure the pipeline is depressurised during the process, adding another layer of protection for the operators.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Sustainability was a major driving force behind the decision to implement the Quick-Pig system. Tresco, like the other Isles of Scilly, places a high value on environmental protection and minimising human impact on its natural surroundings. The Quick-Pig system dovetailed perfectly with this ethos, eliminating the need for heavy, fuel-burning machinery and instead allowing maintenance to be carried out using electric buggies and personnel on foot.
The cleansing process itself has minimal environmental impact. The pig scours material from inside the pipeline, which is then transported downstream and removed at the treatment works, without the need for external transportation of waste. By avoiding the need for pipeline replacement and reducing operational noise, vehicle emissions, and pollution risk, the Quick-Pig system aligns with the island’s green credentials and contributes to a more sustainable future for the entire Isles of Scilly.
Looking Ahead: A Future Proof Innovation
Given the system’s success on Tresco, South West Water is now exploring the possibility of installing Quick-Pig units across other islands and potentially on the mainland. The system’s potential to simplify maintenance and reduce environmental impact makes it an attractive option for other geographically challenging areas.
In collaboration with Reinert-Ritz, Glanville Environmental will continue to support South West Water with on-site installation and commissioning, including training for the operations team. With planned maintenance now taking less than 15 minutes for each section and requiring just two operatives, this solution offers a lasting improvement for pipeline management on the Isles of Scilly.
The Tresco project stands as a shining example of how innovative thinking, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability can overcome the challenges of maintaining essential infrastructure in even the most remote locations. Glanville Environmental and South West Water's success with the Quick-Pig system is likely to set a new standard for pipeline maintenance in the UK and beyond.
Glanville Environmental, in partnership with South West Water, is proud to announce that this project has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Innovative Technology category at the 2024 UKSTT Awards. We look forward to attending the ceremony on 2nd October and are hopeful for a successful outcome, recognising the groundbreaking use of the Quick-Pig system on Tresco and its significant benefits, with immense potential for future applications across the UK.
