Sanitary Lateral Lining Program

The Sanitary Lateral Lining Program is an innovative program that will install liners inside existing sanitary service pipes to extend the life of these assets. This trenchless process means that Water Services can rehabilitate its sanitary service lines without digging up streets and sidewalks.

This work takes place in four phases:

  1. Assessment phase – Crew onsite will send cameras into the pipes from manholes to assess the condition of the lines.
  2. Prep phase – Crews onsite will send tools into the pipes from the manholes to clean the pipes prior to lining.
  3. Liner phase – Crews onsite will send tools into the pipes from the manholes to line the pipes. 
  4. Final assessment phase – Crew onsite will send cameras into the pipes from manholes to assess the final rehabilitation.

This program is being administered by LiquiForce, a company based in Ontario that provides this service to other cities in North America.

Why this program is necessary

Aging sewer infrastructure in older communities in Calgary is vulnerable to tree root intrusions, sewage backups, and costly repairs. The Sanitary Service Lining Program is a pilot to rehabilitate the existing pipe by using trenchless technology to install a liner. This method is less costly overall and less disruptive to the community rather than traditional dig and replace methods.

What residents need to know

While this work is taking place, you can use your water as usual, unless otherwise informed.

If the contractor, Liquiforce, requires you to stop using the water in your home at any point, you will be notified in person 30 minutes prior to work beginning and additional details will be provided. If this is the case, the sewer connection will be out of service for approximately three hours while crews install the liner. During the time of liner installation, DO NOT:

  • Run water from taps
  • Run showers/bathtubs
  • Flush toilets
  • Run washing machines
  • Run dishwashers

Running water during liner installation will cause sewer backups into your home and will prevent work from being completed properly.

After the liner has been installed, crews from LiquiForce will notify residents that their sanitary service is restored.

Please be aware you may experience smells like plastic or glue coming into your home from the sewer lines. This is temporary and the smell should fade quickly. If you have asthma or respiratory conditions you could experience discomfort and may not wish to be present during the work.

A complete set of Material Safety Data Sheets can be made available from the City of Calgary upon request. If the smell persists, please call 311 to alert The City of the issue and someone will come to your home to help.

What residents need to do

  • Pour about four liters of water into every floor drain, laundry tub, bathtub and shower drain in your home. This may help eliminate fumes from entering your home.
  • During the installation, please DO NOT use the shower, bathtubs, dishwashers or washing machines, and keep toilet flushing to a minimum. Homeowners could experience sewer backup in their homes if large appliances are used during the installation window.

This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

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