Waste water treatment development in Ishøj industrial area,
Ishøj,
Denmark
Waste water treatment development in Ishøj industrial area
In Ishøj, Denmark, work is under way on the development of Pilemølle Erhverv, an industrial development that will contain 16 new lots. The project was originally planned for a concrete solution. But together with the contracting firm Gorm Hansen A/S, the utility company quickly became convinced of the benefits of plastic pipes. This is why plastic was chosen for both the stormwater pipes and sewage pipes. The utility company, Ishøj Forsyning, had various strong arguments for a solution using plastic pipes. Durability and a better work environment were important considerations, but the financial aspect entailing a longer life for plastic pipes was particularly crucial in their decision.
“The choice between plastic, fibreglass and concrete is always a balance between budget, work environment, timetable and physical conditions. And obviously, overall economy is always a major factor,” says Peter Dreier, an engineer at Ishøj Forsyning.
This is not the first time plastic pipes have been chosen on a project where Ishøj Forsyning is the main client.
“The supply company has used plastic pipes in several projects – so far with good results,” says Dreier.
Flexible IQ plastic pipes for complicated pipe-laying
Construction company Gorm Hansen A/S is the main contractor on the Pilemølle Erhverv project, and Department Manager Jacob Nielsen lists several benefits to using plastic pipes for large-scale sewerage works.
“Plastic pipes have a significantly longer service life, and it’s far easier for our team to work with plastic pipes, as they are just one-tenth the weight of concrete pipes. That saves both machine and labour resources. An added challenge is that the work site is close to a large road, with a lot of large supply lines and cables running underneath. To get under these, plastic pipes offer the most flexible solution,” Nielsen explains.
The characteristics of the compatible IQ piping system, in particular, are attractive, according to Nielsen. The ability to combine the sewage pipes with wells, in addition to the low weight of the plastic pipes, makes working with plastic pipes easy.
There are also positive reports from the construction site in Ishøj, where Gorm Hansen workers are very happy to be using plastic pipes.
“At this time of year in particular, when the weather can be a challenge, our people on site are delighted to have such an easy pipe to work with,” says Nielsen.
Gorm Hansen A/S has long been working with plastic pipes. Whilst Nielsen used to be somewhat sceptical of using plastic pipes for sewerage, the development of products and methods in recent years has proven that plastic is absolutely on a par with other materials. The Department Manager can therefore also count on a high-quality end result in Ishøj.
“I fully expect us to finish the project with the same quality we’re already renowned for, and with a sewerage installation the client will benefit from for many, many years to come,” Jacob Nielsen concludes.
So the IQ pipes will play a major role in the extensive sewerage work and ensure a robust and durable sewerage system. Uponor has supplied a total of 329, 3000 mm IQ stormwater pipes in dimensions ranging from Ø400 to Ø800 mm for the new development project.
At Ishøj Forsyning, the expectation is that they will be able to add yet another success story to the list when the work at Pilemølle Erhverv is complete.
“We expect the finished project to be a win-win solution. If both the construction company and the client have achieved a good result thanks to the chosen solution, it’s a success. Ishøj Forsyning anticipates a smoothly functioning pipe network, one that will prove its value over time,” says Peter Dreier.
Pilemølle industrial land development – part of a broader climate solution in the municipality
Pilemølle Erhverv is a result of the railway construction between Copenhagen and Ringsted. The area was previously used for agriculture, but since the railway split the area in two, it was obvious that the land facing the existing industrial site should also be used for commercial purposes. Ishøj Municipality and Ishøj Forsyning are therefore now preparing the area with stormwater pipes and sewage pipes. Stormwater reservoirs will be built south of the industrial zone in a recreational area, retaining the stormwater before releasing it into the nearby Vejleå river.