OKEECHOBEE — With the help of Federal grant funds, the city of Okeechobee is undertaking a project to line 3100 feet of 36-to-48-inch stormwater drain line under SE and SW 4th Street. The project is being done to rehabilitate the 60-year-old pipe using a “Cured in Place Pipe lining (CIPP) process. The pipe being lined is the backbone of the storm water system in the Southwest and Southeast sections of the city.  The CIPP process is cost effective and less intrusive than pipe replacement in that it does not require digging up the street. The project begins at SW 5th Avenue and extends to SE 6th Avenue. The portion of the pipe located under South Parrott Avenue (US 441), is scheduled for replacement by the Florida Department of Transportation in early 2024 and will not be lined.

What is the process for CIPP Cured in Place Pipe Lining?

CIPP is a trenchless restoration design method used to repair existing pipelines. It has become widely used in the trenchless pipeline repair industry. First, the existing pipeline is cleaned, and any blockages and intrusions are removed. Next, a polystyrene liner is inserted into the existing pipe and inflated. Once inflated and in place, the liner is heat-treated and cured. Then it will attach to the inner walls of the existing pipe and acts as the new pipeline. To sum up, the cured liner forms a seamless, tight-fitting, corrosion, and root resistant replacement pipe that can last a lifetime.