Hawthorn Sewer Upgrade
Completed
Stage 1 of works to upgrade the Hawthorn Main Sewer are now complete. This involved relining the sewer and upgrading manholes for 1.7 kilometres along Denham Street, Hawthorn and Murphy Street, Richmond.
For more information on current works, visit the Hawthorn to Richmond Sewer Replacement webpage.
Why this is important
The Hawthorn Main Sewer was constructed over 100 years ago in 1903. A program of renewal works is now needed to keep this vital asset functioning well into the future, ensuring that the local community continues to receive reliable sewerage services.
There are two separate phases associated with this works program:
- Relining the existing sewer (complete), starting at Power Street and running along Denham Street in Hawthorn, then continuing along Murphy Street to Burnley Street in Richmond.
- Replacing the twin siphon pipes under the Yarra River (in progress), commencing in early 2021 after the relining phase is complete.
What happened and when
The sewer relining occurred progressively in sections, using two techniques: Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) processes. Works were staged, and residents and businesses were notified before and after completing each stage. Manholes, shared paths and roads were reinstated upon project completion.
Read more about each relining method.
- Cured in place process
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This method involves inserting a flexible, sock-like, resin-infused pipe liner into the existing sewer, and hardening it using UV lights or steam until the pipe is cured in place.
- Set up the sewer bypass pumping system
- Clean pipes, modify existing manhole and measure existing pipe
- Lay the flat, resin-infused pipe liner into the existing pipe; inflate liner with air to expand to the existing pipe size
- Harden the liner using UV lights that move along the inside of the pipe, from manhole to manhole
- Upgrade the manhole with new lining and ladders and reinstate the work area to existing conditions
- Glass reinforced plastic method
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This method involves inserting short sections of plastic pipe down existing manholes.
- Clean pipes, modify existing manhole and measure existing pipe
- Insert short sections or plastic pipe down existing manholes. Each piece is pushed, or 'jacked', to the next manhole to form a new pipe
- Pump grout into the void between old and new pipe
- Upgrade the manhole with new lining and ladders and reinstate the work area to existing conditions
Location
The following map shows the sewer manholes and full alignment of the relining project.
Project timeline
| Stage | What’s happening | When |
|---|---|---|
| Site investigations | Inspecting existing manholes and cleaning and scanning of sewer line | Completed July 2019 |
| Site mobilisation | Equipment and machinery will be delivered to the project area | Completed August 2019 |
| Manhole preparation and service location | Removal of ladders and landings from within manholes; identifying existing underground and overhead services | Completed November 2019 |
| Hawthorn Bypass setup | Set up of Hawthorn sewer bypass system from Lynch Street (manhole 14) to Denham Street (manhole 7.1) | Completed November 2019 |
| Power Street relining | CIPP lining between manholes 9 & 10 | Completed November 2019 |
| Denham Street relining | CIPP lining between manholes 8 & 9 | Completed November 2019 |
| Hawthorn Bypass pack down |
Removal of bypass pipeline by sections |
Completed November 2019 |
| Denham Street relining |
|
Completed March 2020 Completed March 2020 Completed April 2020 |
| Murphy Street relining | GRP lining between manholes 1 & 3 | Completed June 2020 |
| Denham Street Bypass setup | Set up of sewer bypass system on Denham Street between manholes 5.1 and 8 | Completed June 2020 |
| Specialised cleaning of sewer | Intensive clean of sewer line between manholes 6 and 7 | Completed July 2020 |
| Richmond Bypass setup | Set up of Richmond sewer bypass system | Completed July 2020 |
| Denham Street Bypass pack down | Removal of bypass pipeline | Completed July |
| Denham Street relining |
|
Completed August2020 |
| Murphy Street relining | CIPP lining between manholes 23 & 1 | Completed August2020 |
| Penstock removal | Removal of penstock at manhole 10 - 24/7 hydro demolition works | Completed August 2020 |
| Denham Street grouting |
|
Completed October 2020 |
| Manhole rehabilitation |
|
Completed September 2020 |
| Reinstatement | Restoring any areas affected by our works to their original or similar condition | Completed |
| Defect rectification |
Repairing of leaks resulting from settling process
|
Completed |
Keeping you informed
We notified local residents and businesses about our activities before starting works:
- Doorknocks and letters informed residents, businesses and schools directly next to the work areas.
- Signs around our work areas informed pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of changes to road conditions.
- Community noticeboards close to each manhole provided regular work updates.
- Works notifications and updates
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Works notifications
- Community bulletins and FAQs
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Community bulletins
Your feedback
If you have any questions, please contact Melbourne Water on:
To stay up to date, join the Hawthorn Sewer Upgrade Facebook Group.