Niwot pipes getting unclogged

The Niwot Sanitation District has been conducting preventative maintenance of its pipe system as part of a three-year clean-out plan. The most recent area in Niwot to be cleaned was at the intersection of 83rd Street and Niwot Road.

DRC Construction and C & L Water Solutions have been contracted to provide this service.

Adrian Gibson, Operator at Niwot Sanitation District, explained that after the pipes are put in a bypass mode, “We have a Jetter truck first clean with a Jetter which is a specialized truck with a high-pressure water nozzle that can cut roots, clean debris, and make it easy to see any imperfections in the pipe.

“Then another truck comes in with a robot that has a camera, and they record the whole length of the cleaned pipe. The crew then looks over the footage and makes notes regarding damage, roots or anything else that they find that needs to be addressed.

“Lastly, we send out a crew to install CIPP (Cure-in-Place Pipes) in places that need it. This is a great way to repair our pipes quickly and affordably.”

With Cure-in-Place Pipes, repairs can be made without the need for excavation.

Gibson said, “The first third (of the clean-out) is being done this year, and the next one-third being done next year and the year after.”

The clean-out will continue until June 30. “Customers should not see a disturbance in their service,” Gibson said. However, he explained that crews may ask for access to residential property, and may request that residents refrain from flushing toilets for a short time.