Open Trench Excavation
Open Trench Excavation is the traditional method of sewer construction and the most common method for replacing a sewer pipe, especially if the original pipe needs to be upsized. It consists of digging down to and exposing the existing pipe, removing the existing pipe or a section of it, installing a new pipe or a section of new pipe, and then backfilling the trench.
The work includes the following steps:
- Sawcut pavement and dig trench to install mainline sewer pipe
- Sawcut pavement and dig trenches from the mainline to the curb to install sewer service laterals that connect properties to the public sewer
- Install new mainline sewer pipes and laterals
- Cover open trenches with steel plates at the end of each day as needed while work is in progress
- Backfill trenches with sand or gravel and apply temporary asphalt patches
- Conduct quality control inspections
- Complete permanent pavement restoration of patched trenches after work passes inspections
- Repair any curb and sidewalk panels damaged during construction
- Restore any vegetation disturbed during construction with top soil and grass seed