Traffic jams caused by roadworks to maintain water pipes could be a thing of the past, thanks to pioneering technology on trial at Yorkshire Water.

The Whirlwind ‘serline’ technology, developed by North Wales-based HTC Management Services Ltd, allows the company to clean, line and strengthen its water pipes without having to dig up roads.

The ‘no-dig’ technology uses a special cleaning process to remove the harmless deposits which build up on internal pipe walls over time and restrict flow, before adding a relining material to help strengthen the pipe and significantly increase its life-span.

And although the technology is still only at trial stage, it has already attracted international recognition, with the International Society For Trenchless Technology awarding it a prestigious innovation award at an industry leading conference in Singapore earlier this month.

Mark Pye, project manager at Bradford-based Yorkshire Water, which operates 32,000km of water pipes across the region, said: “We’re delighted to be involved with a technology which, even in the early stages of its life, is already garnering high-profile plaudits and significant accolades.

“We’re always searching for new technology that will enable us to do our job better and ultimately improve the service we offer our customers and this is certainly one development which is having a very positive impact.

“By using Whirlwind technology, not only are we able to clean pipes without digging up roads and disrupting traffic flow, but we’re also saving money through not having to replace our pipes, which is helping us to continue to provide customers with the best possible service, while at the same time keeping bills as low as possible.”

The current cleaning method involves digging up the pipe before chipping away at any debris on the internal pipe walls using rotating steel flails – a technique which can leave the pipe weakened and susceptible to leaks.

This process also requires large quantities of water to flush away loosened debris which must be treated.

The new technology is being used by Yorkshire Water as part of a three-year £18 million scheme to upgrade ageing pipes in Leeds, to meet new legislation which will require lead traces in water pipes to fall by more than 70 per cent to ten micrograms per litre by 2013.

For more information visit yorkshirewater.com.