Iplex remains one of Australia’s leading manufacturers and distributors of plastic pipe systems, continually working within the Australian water industry by providing innovative products and new perspectives on gravity-fed sewers.
With more than 85 years of experience, Iplex has a good understanding of the challenges the water industry faces. Its experienced team actively work and collaborates with customers to provide safe, secure, and innovative water solutions today and into the future.
Iplex has broad and proven capabilities. It is driven by what is important to the industry, its communities and its customers. The company provides innovative pipeline products and solutions for rural and agriculture applications, residential subdivisions and civil and mining infrastructure projects across Australia.
With that capability, Iplex continues to provide high-quality products such as EZIpit.
In South East Queensland (SEQ), EZIpits are becoming more popular. The South East Queensland sewer code mandates maintenance holes for sewer network access, which is essential for inspection and ongoing maintenance. These one-metre-wide holes are traditionally constructed on site in concrete. Due to the curing process of concrete, these holes often need to remain open for an extended period. Adding complexity to the project, skilled concreters are necessary to construct concrete benching in the base.
This is where EZIpit steps in. There are three types, each providing unique benefits in sewer construction and flexibility in sewer networks. Water authorities’ environmental, technical, and economic demands for a water-tight, corrosion-proof, stable, and durable sewer system are now a reality with Iplex EZIpit systems.
Manufactured from polypropylene, the EZIpit is lightweight. The ease of installation allows rapid assembly in the trench and can be backfilled at the same time, reducing the risk of leaving deep excavation holes open, especially overnight.
EZIpit is easy to manage
One of the most experienced people to talk to about EZIpit is Trent Hutchison, Iplex Queensland Regional Sales Manager.
“I’ve had a long history in the water industry,” Hutchison said. “I am extremely passionate about it, as I come from an irrigation family and farming background. From there, I started working in the manufacturing side of the water industry over 21 years across different market sectors.”
From his perspective, EZIpit is a good solution for the water industry. It offers a range of benefits for water authorities across Australia and worldwide.
“Firstly, the EZIpit is very light compared to concrete alternatives,” he said. “That is the biggest benefit for contractors. That comes with a more environmentally friendly outcome, as smaller trucks can transport the EZIpits. Smaller trucks mean less diesel used and less emissions put into the environment.”
Another positive aspect of the EZIpit is its watertight construction. Using polypropylene to manufacture the products ensures a robust, watertight unit. That includes dirt, tree roots, and other contaminants entering the sewer. No contamination means reduced costs for the installing water authority.
“Chemical resistance is another key issue,” Hutchison said. “Sewer networks tend to build up a lot of bacteria, which can react with sulphates in the water to form hydrogen sulphide. That can create odour problems and the potential to form sulphuric acid. Sulphuric acid attacks concrete pipes and reduces its service life. EZIpit, however, is resistant and is unaffected by hydrogen sulphide attack.”
Improving sustainability
Plastic does not always strike people as the most sustainable of products. However, Hutchison advocates for EZIpit and what single-use plastic means for the water industry.
“Plastics are usually designed for a single-use, which sounds terrible,” he said. “However, our EZIpit are designed to have a long service life. We can recycle them, but an EZIpit is designed to be in the ground forever. There’s no need to worry about pulling them out because they don’t need to be reworked, relined, or resealed.”
It’s not just environmentally sustainable but also financially sustainable. By having a system that lasts for decades, water utilities do not have to spend as much money on maintenance. It’s a big advantage provided by EZIpit.
“For example, I know of one water utility spending north of $500,000 a year upgrading its manholes,” Hutchison said. “EZIpit provides the opportunity to save that money. It’s pretty much a set-and-forget product in that it looks after itself.”
Iplex is confident in its assertions around sustainability, given that the product has been in Australia for more than 18 years, representing about 20,000 EZIpits being used. It’s also been employed in a global setting for about 40 years.
For more information, visit iplex.com.au
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