removal of 100+ sewer system obstructions

Project Overview

Provided commercial diving services for a state environmental agency wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation project involving the removal of unauthorized steel obstructions from an active sewer system. Operations required precision cutting, obstruction removal, structural repair, inspection, and environmental compliance procedures within a hazardous wastewater environment.

Scope of Work

• Wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation

• Obstruction removal and mitigation

• Hazardous environment diving operations

• Structural sewer repairs

• Pre- and post-repair inspections

• Diver-assisted cutting operations

• Environmental compliance support

• Contaminated water work operations

• Decontamination and site control procedures

Services Performed

• Comprehensive pre-construction inspection and documentation of sewer infrastructure

• Identification and mapping of steel tie-back obstructions penetrating the sewer structure

• Removal of over 100 steel tie-backs that had completely penetrated the sewer system

• Diver-operated hydraulic reciprocating saw cutting operations

• Track saw and cut-off wheel operations for obstruction removal

• Extraction and recovery of severed steel tie-backs

• Cleaning and preparation of penetration locations

• Packing of penetrations with approved repair fiber materials

• Application of splash-zone epoxy repair systems to seal and restore structural integrity

• Post-repair inspection and documentation of completed repairs

• Verification of completed obstruction removal and repair work

• Implementation of contaminated water diving protocols

• Execution of decontamination procedures for personnel and equipment

Equipment & Tools Utilized

• Surface-supplied diving systems

• Diver communications systems

• Hydraulic reciprocating saws

• Hydraulic track saws

• Cut-off saws and abrasive cutting discs

• Rigging and recovery equipment

• Underwater hand tools

• Inspection cameras and video documentation systems

• Splash-zone epoxy repair materials

• Repair fiber packing materials

• Decontamination equipment

• Hazardous environment PPE

Key Project Elements

• State Environmental Protection Agency Project

• Wastewater Infrastructure Rehabilitation

• Hazardous Environment Diving

• Obstruction Removal

• Steel Tie-Back Removal

• Structural Sewer Repair

• Splash-Zone Epoxy Repairs

• Pre- and Post-Construction Inspections

• Contaminated Water Operations

• Environmental Compliance

• Decontamination Procedures

• Critical Underground Infrastructure

Safety & Environmental Compliance

Work was performed within an active wastewater environment under strict hazardous-material and contaminated-water procedures. Operations included controlled dry-site support areas, personnel and equipment decontamination protocols, environmental protection measures, daily safety briefings, and compliance with project-specific health and safety requirements.

See project photos below.