Exhibitor Press Releases

At Severn Trent’s water treatment works near Cropston, on the edge of Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, engineers faced persistent issues with a two-kilometre rising main. The pipeline’s undulating profile and discharge point at a lower elevation were believed to cause airlocks, while wastewater from site processes contributed to fluctuating flow rates.

Historically, the team carried out ice pigging every two years, tankering flows during the process. Although this temporarily improved performance, flow rates would decline again within months, disrupting operations and increasing costs.

Seeking a more sustainable solution, Network Operability Specialist Andrew Warren explored Quick-Pig technology after its introduction at the UKSTT No-Dig Exhibition in 2022. Unlike traditional pigging, Quick-Pig uses compact, surface-operated stations, eliminating the need for confined space entry and reducing safety risks.

Severn Trent installed two Quick-Pig stations on the 80mm MDPE rising main as part of a trial. The system was fully installed in a single day at a cost of approximately £20,000. Designed to allow cleaning and inspection without entering manholes, the stations feature PE100 and stainless steel components with pressure-tight connections for efficient operation.

A trial in January 2025 demonstrated significant improvements. The entire pipeline can now be serviced by two operators in under three hours, replacing the need for a full ice-pigging team. Flow rates increased from around 11.5 m³/hr to 17 m³/hr, while maintenance became simpler and more reliable.

The financial benefits are also substantial. Previously, annual ice pigging during a five-year AMP period would cost around £19,000. With Quick-Pig, annual servicing costs have dropped to approximately £2,000, while enabling more frequent maintenance. Overall, the installation offers a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective solution for managing rising mains at Cropston.