For Southern California-based Tunnelworks, trenchless rehabilitation isn’t just a service offering – it’s the foundation of their business.
Founded in 2009 by William Duarte, Tunnelworks specializes exclusively in trenchless technologies, serving municipalities, sewer districts, and engineering firms throughout Southern California. The company performs pipeline inspection, cleaning, and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) rehabilitation projects, helping agencies restore aging sewer infrastructure through UV-CIPP municipal sewer rehabilitation while minimizing disruption to residents and businesses.
After years of working with traditional steam and water-cured liners, Tunnelworks made the decision to invest in UV technology. Today, their Trelleborg PowerLIGHT Compact UV system has become one of the most valuable assets in their operation.
The versatility of the Trelleborg PowerLIGHT Compact UV system allows contractors to rehabilitate pipelines ranging from 6–60 inches. For Tunnelworks, however, the sweet spot is the municipal sewer market, where most projects involve 8- to 15-inch diameter pipelines. The system’s portability, reliability, and ease of operation make it particularly well suited for these smaller-diameter rehabilitation projects common throughout Southern California.
Looking for a Better Way to Install CIPP
Before purchasing the PowerLIGHT Compact UV system, Tunnelworks evaluated several UV curing technologies and rented multiple systems to gain hands-on experience.
According to Jeff Rubio, Partner at Tunnelworks, the decision ultimately came down to three factors: simplicity, durability, and support.
“The system was straightforward to use and built to last,” said Jeff. “But what really separated Trelleborg was the support. Many of the other systems came from overseas, and getting technical assistance could be difficult. With Trelleborg, there was always someone available to help.”
During the evaluation process, the Trelleborg team provided training, technical guidance, and ongoing support, helping Tunnelworks confidently transition into UV-cured CIPP installations.
Fast Adoption and Long-Term Return
Getting started with the PowerLIGHT Compact UV system proved to be remarkably simple.
After purchasing the equipment, Tunnelworks integrated the system into a mobile trailer operation with assistance from Trelleborg’s technical team.
“It was a pretty straightforward process,” Jeff explained. “We never had any major issues getting up and running.”
Since then, the company has completed more than 400 installations and rehabilitated approximately 150,000 feet of pipeline using the system
“The investment paid for itself years ago,” said Jeff. “We use it all the time.”
Creating a Competitive Advantage
When Tunnelworks first adopted UV technology, relatively few contractors in their market had made the same investment.
That gave the company an opportunity to educate municipalities and engineering firms on the benefits of UV-cured CIPP, including improved liner quality, strong structural performance, and the elimination of water and steam curing requirements.
Tunnelworks frequently converted projects originally specified for traditional felt liner installations to UV-cured solutions by demonstrating the performance advantages to customers.
“We spent a lot of time educating owners and engineers,” Jeff said. “Once they understood the benefits and saw the samples, many were willing to make the switch.”
As UV technology has gained wider acceptance, Tunnelworks has continued to expand its UV rehabilitation work throughout the region.
Reliability in the Field
For Tunnelworks, one of the greatest advantages of the PowerLIGHT Compact UV system is reliability. “The equipment works,” said Jeff. “That’s probably what we value most.”
On the rare occasions when service has been required, Trelleborg’s technical support team has responded quickly to keep projects moving. In one instance, a loaner light train was provided while equipment was being serviced, helping the contractor avoid project delays.
Tackling Challenging Installations
Recently, Tunnelworks completed a 6,600-foot rehabilitation of an 18-inch sewer main in the Lake Arrowhead area.
The project presented logistical challenges due to the terrain and the location of the pipeline along a residential lakeshore corridor. Crews utilized manholes and pulley systems to navigate access limitations while taking advantage of the portability of the PowerLIGHT Compact UV equipment.
The sewer line had experienced root intrusion, infiltration, and age-related deterioration – common issues faced by municipalities managing aging infrastructure.
Rather than pursuing costly excavation and replacement, the owner selected trenchless rehabilitation to restore the pipeline while minimizing disruption to residents, traffic, and surrounding properties.
“The portability of the system allowed us to get closer to the work area than many traditional curing rigs,” Jeff explained.
Supporting the Future of Trenchless Rehabilitation
As municipalities continue searching for cost-effective ways to renew aging sewer infrastructure, Tunnelworks sees UV-cured CIPP playing an increasingly important role. UV-CIPP technology is proving equally valuable in industrial environments.
What began as an investment in a new curing technology has evolved into a core component of the company’s growth strategy, helping them differentiate their services, expand their capabilities, and deliver long-term value to customers.
For Tunnelworks, the Trelleborg PowerLIGHT Compact UV system is more than a piece of equipment – it’s a proven tool that has helped position the company as a leader in trenchless rehabilitation throughout Southern California.
Contact NuFlow Technologies today to learn how UV-cured CIPP technology can help rehabilitate aging sewer infrastructure, reduce disruption, and deliver long-term performance for your next project.
FAQ
- What is UV-cured CIPP?
UV-cured CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) is a trenchless pipe rehabilitation method that uses ultraviolet light to cure a liner inside an existing pipe, creating a durable new pipe without excavation. - Why did Tunnelworks choose the Trelleborg PowerLIGHT Compact UV system?
Tunnelworks selected the system for its simplicity, durability, portability, and strong technical support, allowing the company to efficiently perform municipal sewer rehabilitation projects. - How much pipeline has Tunnelworks rehabilitated using the system?
Since adopting the PowerLIGHT Compact UV system, Tunnelworks has completed more than 400 installations and rehabilitated approximately 150,000 feet of pipeline. - What types of pipe problems can UV-CIPP address?
UV-CIPP can rehabilitate pipelines affected by root intrusion, infiltration, corrosion, cracks, and age-related deterioration while extending the service life of existing infrastructure. - What are the benefits of UV-cured CIPP compared to traditional excavation?
UV-CIPP minimizes disruption to residents, businesses, traffic, and surrounding properties while reducing construction time and avoiding costly excavation and replacement.
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