Lleida Innovates Main Water Pipe Renovation with Pioneering Technique

The Paeria and Aqualia implement a groundbreaking method that avoids six months of construction and traffic disruptions on Rovira Roure avenue.

Image of a polyethylene pipe being inserted into an old pipe.
IA

Image of a polyethylene pipe being inserted into an old pipe.

The Paeria and the company Aqualia have begun the renovation of Lleida's main drinking water pipe using an unprecedented technology in Spain, which will avoid six months of open trench work and traffic cuts.

This operation involves installing a flexible polyethylene hose, reinforced with three layers of Kevlar, inside the old conduit, which is approximately 70 years old. This technique provides internal structural reinforcement, while the original pipe acts as an external support.

"The hose is introduced into the pipe, then inflated with pressure, and it adheres. Furthermore, polyethylene is a better material than the current one and has a durability of 70 years."

sources from Aqualia
The section to be renovated spans approximately 600 meters, from Periodista Trapa Street to Ronda. This is the first time in Spain that this technology has been applied to such a long section and with a pipe diameter of 500 millimeters. Both municipal and Aqualia sources have highlighted that this method minimizes inconvenience for citizens, as it does not involve traffic disruptions.
Preliminary work began at the beginning of the week with pipe cleaning. The hose installation will take place between yesterday and today, and pressure tests will be conducted tomorrow. From May 12 to 20, new valves will be installed, and from May 20 to 28, the affected pavement will be restored. The total cost of the project amounts to 467,124.32 euros.