AXEO Brumath started the project in March, undertaken for municipal client Lille Métropole Communauté urbaine, using UV-light curing pipe liners DN 600 to DN 1200 from Reline Europe.

The main intercepting sewer leading to the waste water treatment plant had become derelict in Emmerin.

The sewage system was built in the 1970s and was showing major signs of damage, with parts of the pipe system overgrown by 90 per cent.

Although there was nothing wrong with the statics of the old pipes, excessive corrosion, displaced pipe couplings and penetrating roots were causing leaks in the sewage system.

Article continues below…

AXEO Construction Supervisor Michel Moller said at that point, it was the largest project of this kind in France.

“Considering the length, diameters and short completion time, the entire French rehabilitation industry is considering this task as a reference project,” he said.

The challenge was to complete the project, including all preparation and finishing work, within the narrow time frame.

The pipes affected were two main intercepting sewers. The first with a length of 1,255 m and a diameter of DN 1,000 mm runs from the pumping station at the nearby industrial area and the Port Santes along the nature reserve ‘Le parc de la Deûle’ to the wastewater treatment plant.

The second intercepting sewer – diameter DN 1,200 and 3,009 m in length – connects the commune Wattignies with the wastewater treatment plant.

Once completed, work on the approximately 3,000 m long intercepting sewer was carried out.