Certa-Lok® PVC Pipe Streamlines a 3.3 Kilometer Industrial Water Main Installation in Kamloops, BC

The City of Kamloops, British Columbia, planned to install 3.3 km of large-diameter water main in its Southwest Sector to supplement an existing system and support industrial expansion. The effort involved complying with multiple permits from various stakeholders, which required aligning schedules with permit holders to prevent delays. Large-diameter fittings were not off-the-shelf items, raising concerns over potential cost increases during tariff negotiations and supply chain disruptions. Long-lead items influenced the overall timeline, necessitating advance planning to avoid project stalls. The busy trans-Canada highway crossing called for a boring machine, introducing technical complexity. Testing and flushing the water main required discharging approximately 830,000 L of water - and with no immediate discharge points available - demanded solutions that met environmental and regulatory standards. Multiple water tie-ins added risks of disruptions to businesses, residents, and a correctional facility, emphasizing the need for coordinated communication and minimal downtime.

Soil conditions varied along the route, including saturated soft silty areas that involved geotechnical engineering review and well-graded gravels suitable for trench backfill. The project took place on an urban road on the town’s outskirts, providing accessible laydown areas and straightforward traffic control, but the setting still required a product that could address these constraints more efficiently than alternatives like ductile iron (DI), which involves higher weight and labor, or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which offers lower stiffness for grade maintenance.

This $11 million project focused on installing 3.3 km of PVC water main to create a looped connection with the existing system, improving capacity and reliability for the Southwest Sector industrial area. The scope included 2,650 m of 600-mm diameter PVC C900 DR 18 water main and 620 m of 400-mm diameter PVC C900 DR 18 water main, along with a guided auger bore trans-Canada  highway crossing using 95 m of 450-mm diameter Certa-Lok® Restrained Joint Integral Bell (RJIB) DR 18 PVC pipe inserted through a steel casing.

Components incorporated large-diameter butterfly valves in 2,400-mm manhole chambers, a mix of DI and PVC bend fittings (with DI using mechanical joints), four air release valves, blowdowns, standpipes, and a pressure reducing valve (PRV) with an enclosure. The location supported efficient material staging and traffic management, with environmental measures including the use of existing drainage channels for flushing. The installation supplemented the existing water main without replacements, prioritizing expansion in conditions that benefited from lightweight, durable options over heavier materials.

The project began in April 2025 with early procurement of the large-diameter PVC water main before contract award, addressing supply chain uncertainties and tariff concerns, to keep costs stable. This preparation allowed scheduling to align with long-lead items, supporting steady progress.

From the start, communication with permit holders ensured regulatory compliance and coordinated timelines. Most of the work used open cut trenching, adapting to the site’s soil variations leveraging the geotechnical input. The highway crossing involved a guided auger bore, after which 95 m of 450-mm Certa-Lok PVC pipe was inserted through the steel casing in just hours, using cartridge-style assembly and a field-proven spline lock design delivering a strong, secure, service-ready joint without the need for welding or fusion. Flushing and disinfection were planned with the client, directing 830,000 L of water into existing drainage channels to meet standards. Tie-ins were managed with advance notices to affected parties, including temporary water supplies for the correctional facility to limit interruptions.

Completed by September 2025 after five months, the project stayed within the $11 million budget, with the system providing improved flow and reliability.

“Westlake pipe delivered exceptional service, when it came to procuring, delivering, communications with deliveries, and providing alternate products that meet specifications that help production and costs,” said Brandy Unger, project manager, Extreme Excavating LTD.