Repairing A Cracked Coupling In Under Five Minutes And Without A Service Disruption

The Town of Smithfield, Virginia, known for curing the world famous “Smithfield Ham”, has a population of approximately 10,000 residents in a 10-square mile area. Recognized for excellence by the American Public Works Association, Smithfield Public Works and Utilities department maintains every aspect of the Town’s infrastructure, including water and sanitary sewer systems, stormwater systems and public buildings.

During a routine maintenance and inspection, crews discovered that a crack had formed on a two-inch galvanized steel pipe through to the attached coupling. To repair this damage, the utility would have to shut off the water valve used to distribute water to at least 65 households, cut the pipe, send out boil water notifications, and de-chlorinate the pipe. There could also be the potential of disrupting water service to more households and businesses by having to shut down the next valve further away.

Smithfield was looking for a quick, cost-effective yet resilient solution that would prevent the disruption of water service to the community and environment.