Pipes cleaned with 'ice pigs'

Umina and Ettalong are among the first towns in Australia to test new water pipe cleaning technology from a Britain.

The technique involves pumping a thick slurry of ice, known as an ice pig, through the water main to clean off any sediment and other particles.

Council's manager water and sewer operations Mr Michael Redrup said it was exciting to be the first water authority in the country to send an ice pig through its water mains.

"Discoloured water is an on-going battle for Council and ice pigging was one of the new technologies identified by our Water Operations team," Mr Redrup said.

Three "ice-pigging" pioneers from British company Agbar Environment Ltd were working with the council to try out the innovative technology.

"We've been waiting with great anticipation for these trials to start following successful meetings last year between Council staff, Agbar, Bristol Water and the Bristol University professor who invented ice pigging," said Mr Redrup.

"If the trials are a success, it's very likely we'll look at using ice pigging as the backbone of our on-going mains cleaning program."

The benefits of ice pigging over traditional cleaning techniques, like conventional pigging and flushing include less water used, no excavation required an easy flow through changes in pipe diameter, bends and fittings and a reduction in the length of interruption to local household water supply.

"Ice pigging has been used by water authorities throughout the United Kingdom for a number of years now to protect and maintain their local drinking water quality," Mr Redrup said.

"Providing good quality water to our customers is important.

"To do this, we need to keep our eye on emerging technologies even if it means taking the search overseas."

Agbar Environment Litd is the global license holder for ice pigging in the water industry and winner of the 2009 Water Industry Achievement Award for Most Innovative Technology of the Year.

Media Release, 8 Nov 2011 Nathan Slade, Gosford Council