Hundred-year-old drinking water network replaced in Nagykanizsa

The reconstruction of the drinking water network in Platán sor, Nagykanizsa, has been completed. As previously reported, the sewer network in Nagykanizsa was modernised at a cost of approximately HUF 900 million: in two densely populated streets, drinking water pipes that were over a hundred years old had to be replaced, but the Szabadics Zrt. and Aquaprofit Zrt., three new energy-efficient pressure booster pumps were also installed in the network in addition to the pipe replacements.

Replacing a century-old network

Szabadics Zrt., as the consortium leader, managed the overall implementation of the project, which included the rehabilitation of the drinking water network in Platan Street and Teleki Street. Both streets were in a very poor state of repair of the drinking water mains, which led to regular pipe bursts and problems with the safety of the drinking water supply. According to preliminary studies, the reduction - or elimination - of water losses could only be achieved by a complete renovation, but it was also necessary to replace the old booster pumps in Teleki Street, mainly for energy efficiency reasons.

The contractors took over the worksites almost a year ago, in November 2022, and the task was completed on time, by the beginning of October.

This involved replacing the water tower's filling pipe and the water tower's booster pumps on the north side of Teleki Street;

while on the south side, the old backbone and all the residential connections were renewed, and the drinking water mains of the connecting streets were replaced, as well as the fire hydrants. Of course, the broken pavements and roads were repaved on both sides.

On both the north and south sides of Platán row, the old backbone line was replaced, as well as all the condominium and public utility connections to it. After the drinking water pipe connections and the replacement of the fire hydrants in the connecting streets, the damaged pavements were also repaired, along with Teleki Street for about 1.4 km.

They worked in constant traffic

Maintaining the traffic flow on the streets was of paramount importance during the work, especially on Teleki Street, as it is the main access and exit road for the city's traffic coming from Kaposvár. To this end, the section of the pipeline under the pavement on the northern side of Teleki utca was constructed in five phases over a length of approximately 800 metres, using directional drilling, which not only shortened the construction time but also minimised the areas of the traffic lane that were closed.

The task also required research

A major problem for contractors has been to locate utilities that are not actually there, but are marked on the basis of data extracted from the E-Public Utility Register, which has consumed considerable time and cost.

Increasing efficiency in the implementation of works is an important economic aspect, so

The Szabadics is an innovative technological investment in the purchase and successful use of a ground wheel, which was the first to be deployed in this project.

The technology has provided them with an effective tool for excavating utilities. And because the data management deficiencies of the past are a national problem, they have already had the opportunity to apply their experience with ground penetrating radar to other projects.