Leucadia Wastewater District | Pipelines and Trenchless Technology

Pipelines and Trenchless Technology

			Capital Improvement Program Replaces Aging Pipelines Leucadia Wastewater District has over 175 miles of pipelines ranging in size from 8 inches to 36 inches in diameter. They generally last for decades, but occasionally need replacing because their age or condition might cause breakage and leaks. We have a capital improvement program to replace old lines before there's a problem. Old Ductile Iron Pipes Replaced One such replacement project involved old ductile iron pipes at one of La Costa's busiest intersections -- La Costa Avenue and El Camino Real. We were particularly sensitive about the integrity of this pipeline possibly failing because of the proximity of Batiquitos Lagoon. Rather than tearing up the entire intersection and parts of La Costa Avenue, we used trenchless technology. How Trenchless Technology Works One trenchless technology technique uses a horizontal drilling method whereby drill rigs are constructed at either end of the pipeline alignment. In simple terms, rather than dig up the street and install new pipeline from above, this process involves drilling from one point to another and pulling a new pipe through the drilled hole. This avoids the need to dig a trench in the street.