An Eastern European revolution in sewer protection is to be put under the spotlight at a major wastewater industry conference in the UK next week.
As Czechoslovakia’s ‘Velvet Revolution’ freed the country from communism, engineers in the Czech Republic have since started their own basalt ‘revolution’ for the wastewater industry.
Now the technology is coming to the UK thanks to specialist engineering firm Greenbank and its Czech partner Eutit.
At the Water and Wastewater Treatment Conference, Ondřej Beneš (pictured) from the transnational environmental engineering company Veolia will outline how basalt was used during the refurbishment of Prague’s outdated sewer system following devastating flooding in 2002.
Co-sponsoring the conference on January 29 in Birmingham, Greenbank have invited Ondřej to talk about how the basalt lining systems developed by Eutit have been used to future-proof the sewers of a vibrant 21stCentury European capital.
Greenbank Group Sales and Marketing Director, Ray Moorehead, explained: “Prior to this flooding, the on-going collapse of sewers had caused sink-holes to appear in several places in the city, and basalt was introduced to improve and extend the lifespan of the refurbished system.
“Thanks to its unrivalled abrasion-resistant properties, volcanic basalt has proved revolutionary, the perfect replacement for the city’s flood-damaged brick sewers and the results for owners and managers of sewage disposal systems really do speak for themselves.”
The use of basalt delivers a range of benefits to utility companies, including increased flow rates, reduced maintenance costs and additional protection in sections of the sewer systems prone to wear.
“In short, it provides the most cost-effective and reliable way to increase the lifespan of sewer systems, even under the added pressures of modern living,” Mr Moorehead said.
Eutit have been at the forefront of this basalt revolution since 1995, becoming a leader in the best solutions for sewer system protection.
A specialist engineering company, the Greenbank Group has a long-standing relationship with the Czech firm, having worked with it on a wide range of lining products for use in heavy industries such as power generation and minerals extraction.
“Eutit’s work on the Prague sewer system for Violia has shown that the use of basalt solutions really is revolutionary for the wastewater industry, adding a new level of security to systems. The results in this historic city speak for themselves and we are excited to bring this revolution to the UK,” Mr Moorehead added.
The partnership is bringing a wide range of basalt products for implementation in all sewage disposal systems and drainage projects, including bottom gutters, branch pipes and tubes, and slip-resistant elements for walkways, and they can even supply bespoke-shaped tiles to meet the unique requirements of individual clients.
Basalt tiles can also be used to line existing brickwork, a more cost-effective solution than full replacement, and their reduced drag co-efficient means improved flow – in effect a smaller-diameter pipe or tunnel lined with basalt can carry a higher volume of water than a larger one with traditional brick surfaces. What’s more, the effective life expectancy of basalt sewer lining systems is well in excess of 100 years, thanks to their resistance to abrasion and chemicals commonly used in the industry.
As Greenbank brings this know-how to the UK, this basalt revolution is changing the face of wastewater system projects for the better.
To find out more about our basalt products, water companies, contractors and pipe manufacturers should contact the Greenbank Group on 0845 0707 094 or email info@greenbankgroup.com
