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Pacific Flow Control Completes Critical 24” Water Main Repair in Southern Alberta

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Last week, Pacific Flow Control successfully completed a repair on a 24-inch (600mm) carbon steel feeder main (transmission water line) in Southern Alberta. This critical infrastructure project was completed for a local town that had an extremely limited shutdown window of just 24 hours due to capacity demands and reservoir storage limitations.

Innovative Solution: Weld-On Encasement Sleeve

To meet the tight timeline, a weld-on encasement-style sleeve (JCM 117) was selected. This sleeve offered significant advantages over traditional repair methods, such as a weld-on cut-in pipe section with a butt strap, which would have required an estimated 72-96 hours to complete.

Beyond the substantial time savings, the encasement-style sleeve also delivered cost savings, representing only 20-30% of the traditional method. The reduced cost came from minimizing additional work, including:

  • Larger excavations

  • Chamber removal and reinstatement

  • Additional hardware

  • Service interruptions

  • Administrative fees

  • Other unforeseen expenses

The JCM 117 is specifically designed to repair and reinforce in-service steel pipelines while minimizing service disruption. It is ideal for addressing weak or leaking areas caused by:

  • External/internal corrosion

  • Physical damage (dents, gouges)

  • Inferior welds or defective materials

Adjusting to On-Site Challenges: Switching to the JCM 417 Split Tee

As part of the preparation, upstream and downstream valves were tested to confirm isolation for the shutdown and welding process. During this testing, minor blow-by was detected in one valve, resulting in approximately 5 gallons per minute (GPM) of leakage. To address this challenge, the team switched to a JCM 417 Type 1 Split Tee.

The JCM 417 is very similar to the JCM 117 in design and installation but includes an outlet, allowing us to:

  • Cut a hole at the top of the pipe

  • Pump out water bypassing the valves

  • Keep the pipe exterior dry to ensure proper welding conditions

This quick adaptation ensured the project remained on track and met the client’s requirements.

Enhancing Durability: NSF-Approved Epoxy Coating

To extend the lifespan of the repaired feeder main, the sleeve was ordered with an NSF-approved epoxy coating with holdback. This additional layer of protection helps guard against corrosion, ensuring the long-term integrity of the water transmission line.

Efficient Execution: Finishing 6 Hours Ahead of Schedule

Thanks to the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the Pacific Flow Control team, the project was completed 6 hours ahead of schedule. Completing a 20-24 hour workday under demanding conditions is no small feat, but our team always rises to the challenge to deliver on critical infrastructure projects.

We are proud to have successfully supported the town’s needs, ensuring minimal disruption while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

A big thank you to everyone involved for their hard work and commitment to excellence!