For the first time in sofia a pipeline was repaired by using a japanese trenchless technology

A Japanese trenchless technology was used for renovation of an aged asbestos cement sewer pipeline in Lozenets residential district in Sofia. It is the first application of this technology in Sofia and it guarantees a complete restoration of the functionality of the sewer line and extends its lifetime by 50 years.  

The water company of Sofia is the assignor of the project and the Bulgarian company Stroitelna Mehanizatsia AD is its contractor.

The demonstration of the technology was held on 22^nd October and it was attended by representatives from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Japanese Sewer Works Association and Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as well as representatives from Sekisui company who have actually developed the above technology.

“The technology which has been chosen for the implementation of the repair is called “Spirally Wound Pipe” – SPR and has been used in Japan for 20 years now. From now on it will be widely applied in our country”, Stefan Zhelyazkov, Chairman of Bulgarian Association for Trenchless Technologies, said. According to the producers such technology is very suitable in urban areas where the great number of buildings does not allow excavations

 There was a pressing necessity of the aged sewer line to be repaired due to its compromised integrity and danger of pavement collapse which may lead to undermining of the buildings’ foundations in the area. The Executive Director of Sofiyska Voda AD, Jean Sallesy, stated that after the implementation of the project the quality of the services in the area will be significantly improved.