900MM DRAINAGE

In 2019 SWDD completed the Hopton Outfall project for Barhale/ NMC/ Severn Trent, via Horizontal Directional Drilling. As the project was proposed through rock, SWDD employed the DitchWitch "All Terrain" rock drilling system with great effect.

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Despite not receiving full information on the previous site use (old Ironworks), SWDD successfully directionally drilled the pilot bore and installed the 100m x 900mm SDR 17 Gravity Drainage pipe. The ground was largely "Strong" rock and also contained iron, steel cables, bars, and various other man-made objects, from previous land use. This unknown "curveball" caused significant damage to the directional drilling equipment, but as always SWDD powered through and still completed the works within 10% of the quoted sum. The works were completed within 3 weeks on-site.

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The project had been initially proposed to SWDD for tunnelling or auger boring, but SWDD advised it could be drilled. The alternate design provided by SWDD helped the main contractor secure the tender, and saved the client £1m!

Due to selecting the horizontal directional drilling method, the pipe was able to be installed on a curve, which also saved the client significant time and groundwork cost.