Global engineering consultancy firm SMEC is among the small minority of firms in South Africa that boasts appropriate skills and expertise in the design and application of trenchless technology in water and sewer infrastructure projects.

SMEC section manager, Rowan Griffioen, noted that numerous trenchless technology options are available for the rehabilitation and replacement of sewer and water infrastructure in South Africa.

“One of our focus areas is on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) design and planning. Thisinvolves the installation of underground pipes, conduits and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path,using a surface-launched drilling rig that exerts minimal impact on the surrounding area”, he says.

Griffioen continues, “Another technology that we focus on is pipebursting which entails the replacement of existing underground pipes of various materials with a new pipe of similar or larger diameter.”

He further highlightsthat the general notion that there is a shortage of knowledgeable and adequate trenchless technology experts in South Africa is not true.

“There is however a limited number of contactors able to perform trenchless projects to specification, which has increased the trend of unskilled contractors being used for many projects” Griffioen asserts.

“Trenchless technology is internationally recognised as an effective means of replacing and rehabilitating pipelines and, despite the current shortfall of capabilities locally, SMEC is aiming to promote this technology as the most effective means for completing underground installations”, he concludes.

According to SMEC professional engineer, Meghan Brinkley, trenchless technology boasts numerous advantages, including; reduced excavation costs, less long-term damage to road surfaces and minimal disruption to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

“Limited environmental impact and reduced turnaround times are also major benefits of trenchless methods, which reduce service congestion in developed cities and leaves more space available for other services development”, she says.

Brinkley adds that SMEC was awarded the Southern African Society for Trenchless Technology Award of Excellence in 2010 for its involvement in the Plumstead municipal water and sanitation infrastructure upgrade project located in Cape Town.