How KD Restored an Asbestos-Contaminated Rising Main in Kent

A complex rising main repair in Kent required far more than a conventional drainage response when licensed asbestos-containing materials were discovered on a failed asset. KD Drainage and Asbestos Ltd coordinated asbestos remediation, CCTV investigation, tanker operations, excavation, civil engineering and structural pipe rehabilitation through one accountable team.

Rising Main Repair Kent: The Challenge

The project began following the structural failure and collapse of a rising main.

Initial investigations identified asbestos-containing materials on the failed asset. This immediately increased the complexity of the project because conventional drainage repair work could not continue until the asbestos risk had been properly controlled and the affected materials safely removed.

Further investigation identified several significant problems across the drainage network.

Cappagh Browne therefore needed more than a standard drainage contractor. The project required a team capable of managing asbestos risk, wastewater flows, investigation, structural rehabilitation, excavation and reinstatement as one coordinated programme.

One Contractor and One Coordinated Programme

KD combined its licensed asbestos capability with its drainage, tanker, CCTV, lining and civil engineering services.

This gave Cappagh Browne a single point of responsibility throughout the project, from initial investigation and asbestos controls through to structural rehabilitation, commissioning and reinstatement.

Using one integrated contractor reduced the need for repeated handovers between separate specialist companies. It also meant that the sequence of works could be planned around the needs of each discipline rather than treated as a series of disconnected jobs.

Licensed Asbestos Remediation

Before the rising main repair in Kent could continue, KD’s licensed asbestos team established a fully self-contained working environment around the affected area.

The controlled enclosure incorporated the measures required for the asbestos-remediation phase, including:

• Negative-pressure management.
• Controlled access arrangements.
• Independent electrical and water supplies.
• Dedicated welfare provisions.
• Decontamination facilities.
• Independent air monitoring and clearance testing.

The Health and Safety Executive provides further information on licensed asbestos work and contractor requirements.

Once the asbestos-remediation phase had been completed and the required clearances obtained, the drainage engineering works could proceed.

CCTV Drainage Investigation and Condition Assessment

Following asbestos clearance, KD deployed CityFlex Combination Tankers, FlexLine Tankers and robotic CCTV survey equipment to assess the true condition of the drainage network.

The investigation identified multiple areas of crown collapse, severe deterioration and complete structural failure.

Robotic crawler-camera technology enabled difficult sections of the system to be inspected in detail, allowing the team to determine which areas required excavation and which could be structurally rehabilitated without conventional replacement.

KD provides specialist CCTV drain surveys for investigating underground drainage condition and identifying defects before a repair strategy is selected.

175 Metres of UV Bluelight Structural Lining

The CCTV investigation identified 175 metres of heavily pitted pipework that was suitable for structural rehabilitation using UV Bluelight lining technology.

KD’s specialist lining team installed UV-cured structural liners through drainage assets ranging from 300mm to 340mm in diameter.

The complete lining installation was delivered within two days.

Rather than excavating and replacing the full 175-metre length, structural lining enabled the existing drainage route to be rehabilitated internally. This reduced the amount of excavation required and helped accelerate the overall programme.

KD’s dedicated Bluelight lining service uses specialist light-cured lining technology to rehabilitate suitable damaged and deteriorated underground pipework with considerably less disruption than conventional excavation. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Following installation, CCTV surveys were completed to verify the condition of the liners and support final commissioning.

Why Was Structural Lining Used?

Structural lining was selected for sections where the existing pipe remained suitable for trenchless rehabilitation.

This evidence-led approach meant that excavation was reserved for areas where replacement was actually necessary, rather than excavating the entire drainage route.

New 300mm High-Pressure Pipework and Civil Engineering

Not every section of the failed drainage network was suitable for trenchless rehabilitation.

Where structural failure was too severe, KD’s civil engineering team carried out controlled excavation and installed 14 metres of new 300mm high-pressure pipework.

The installation included thrust blocks at bends and connection points, together with the associated excavation, pipe connections and civil engineering works.

Once the new pipework had been installed, the drainage network was commissioned and tested to confirm that it was operating as designed.

The project demonstrates why complex rising main repair in Kent cannot always rely on a single repair technique. Some sections were suitable for structural lining, while others required conventional excavation and replacement.

Tanker Support and Operational Control

CityFlex Combination Tankers and FlexLine Tankers remained operational throughout the works.

Their role was essential to wastewater management and site resilience while sections of the permanent drainage network were unavailable.

Temporary over-pumping arrangements helped maintain control of flows until the permanent infrastructure had been repaired and commissioned.

KD’s combination tanker fleet provides high-capacity jetting and vacuum capability for commercial, industrial and drainage infrastructure work. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Once the restored drainage network had been successfully commissioned, the temporary arrangements were safely removed.

Project Outcomes

The complete project was successfully delivered within the agreed three-week programme.

The Value of Integrated Drainage and Asbestos Capability

Infrastructure failures become significantly more complex when asbestos-containing materials are discovered.

Using separate asbestos, drainage, tanker, lining and civil engineering companies can introduce additional handovers and make sequencing the project more difficult.

On this project, KD’s combined capability allowed the entire programme to be managed through one delivery team.

This provided Cappagh Browne with a clear route from investigation and asbestos remediation through to structural rehabilitation, replacement pipework and final commissioning.

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