Subaqueous Force Main Replacement

Weston & Sampson was selected to design and permit a newer, more reliable force main to replace an aging one in Naples, Florida.

Our team looked at potential installation methods and determined horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to be the best method of installing the new main under the waterways, using 24” pipe under the Gordon River and 20” pipe under Rock Creek. The project also involved adding a new meter assembly to an existing 30” force main near the water treatment facility. We established the connection details for the new main, determined which sections of pipes to remove and which sections to grout in place, and then designed a route for the new main that does not travel under the marina building. The permitting process included an Environmental Resources Permit (ERP) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and a permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). We expedited the ACOE permit, accelerating the bid process.