Ice Pigging improves landfill leachate discharge to sewer main

May 2024

The Ice Pigging team successfully completed a pioneering cleaning operation of a landfill leachate discharge to sewer main in the UK. Collaborating with a waste management company in northern England, the team aimed to remove accumulated fouling from the leachate pumping main to enhance discharge rates.

The mission was to improve the flow rate and pumping capacity of the leachate discharge main. Over the past decade, the flow rate had significantly decreased from 6.5l/s to 3.71l/s, posing environmental and operational challenges. The waste management company, handling over half a million tonnes of waste annually, needed to address this issue to avoid potential compliance problems and increased costs.

The solution involved the first-ever Ice Pigging cleaning of a landfill leachate pumping main in the UK. Using 20 tonnes of ice, the team effectively cleared the entire 3,200m length of the DN125 pipe. The operation was conducted at night to minimise disruption, with close coordination with the client and local council to ensure smooth execution.
The results were impressive, with a 67% increase in the flow rate, rising from 3.7l/s to 6.2l/s. This improvement allowed the client to meet discharge limits and provided the potential for future site expansion. The successful debut of Ice Pigging in this context highlights its potential for widespread application in the industry.