SPECIAL REPORT
“Without proper protection, the presence of water allows carbon dioxide to enter the concrete and cause a chemical reaction that affects water quality and infrastructure integrity. This is known as ‘concrete cancer’.” Large-scale infrastructure projects that involve tunnelling and drilling are also at risk without proper protection solutions. The geological landscape of a tunnelling project, for example, may feature soil structures including large fissures, clay seams, soft shale and wet sandstone. Issues that impact the soil substrate, such as water seepage, can lead to ground instability that in turn can affect the long-term structural integrity of the
asset. Some areas of inner Sydney contain soft sediment deep in the ground where water easily passes through, becoming the catalyst for water ingress into a tunnel cavity or ventilation shaft. These ever-present risks must all be considered especially after the recent announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, who committed an additional $2 billion investment into the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. Reportedly spurred by ongoing drought, floods, bushfires and COVID-19, McCormack is determined to make it a $100 billion industry by 2030. For the longevity of Australian infrastructure, it means that it is more important than ever to consider asset longevity using new types of resins, gels and coatings a priority.
Keeping Australia running with the right approach to water protection A crucial and often overlooked step to infrastructure protection is surface preparation, where it is important to analyse the bond between the original substrate and coating. This can be the difference between quality protection and issues like water leaks or delamination. Mainmark worked closely with Glen Innes Severn Council to re-line the filter ponds and clarifier tank at the Glen Innes Water Treatment Plant in Northern NSW. A pure polyurea coating was applied to the three filter ponds and clarifier tank which were first primed with a twopart epoxy solution that is specifically designed to improve the adhesion of the polyurea. The new linings are expected to extend the life of the asset for at least another 20 years.
Mainmark worked closely with Glen Innes Severn Council to re-line the filter ponds and clarifier tank at the Glen Innes Water Treatment Plant in Northern NSW. The new linings are expected to extend the life of the asset for at least another 20 years.
Waste + Water Management Australia | Jan 2021
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