Emergency Repair of 48-Inch PCCP Water Main

On February 12, 2021, the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works notified EBA about water flowing from a 48-inch prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) water main under the I-83 bridge southbound (Falls Road) off ramp. The breach shut down water service, causing a temporary outage for a large population. The City needed a long-term, effective solution that could be implemented quickly, given many project constraints.

EBA designed the repair, obtained permits, and oversaw the emergency contractor. EBA provided recommendations for repair and engineering support to the City of Baltimore to address the problem and complete the repair. EBA also recommended pipe inspection of the whole PCCP section to determine other locations that may be affected.

A 5-layer carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) lining system was selected to permanently repair the pipe. The emergency repair was completed promptly without any issues encountered in the field, and the pipe was returned to service the day after installation.

This project received an Honor Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington (ACEC/MW) 2021-2022 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. It was also highlighted in the 2021 annual Mid Atlantic Journal of Trenchless Technology.