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Hinterland Group Inc. Updated August 04, 2026

Case Study: Palm Beach County Continuing Rehab Program

Introduction to Palm Beach County's Continuing Gravity Sewer Rehab Contract

Hinterland Group Inc. was awarded a significant continuing contract with Palm Beach County, Florida, encompassing large-scale rehabilitation of gravity sewer lines, laterals, and manholes. This program highlights Hinterland Group's capacity to deliver advanced trenchless rehabilitation at scale for critical municipal infrastructure. (About Us)

Project Scope and Details

  • Client: Palm Beach County, Florida

  • Contract Type: Continuing multi-work order contract for gravity sewer and manhole rehabilitation

  • Work Order Example:

  • Total Value: $3,998,888.10 (Work Order No. 1)

  • Rehabilitation Quantities:

    • ~19,500 linear feet of existing wastewater gravity lines

    • ~9,300 linear feet of wastewater service laterals

    • 63 wastewater manholes

  • Coverage: Multiple lift station basins and diverse areas across the Palm Beach County utility service area

  • Methods Used:

  • Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining of mains and laterals

  • Manhole rehabilitation via advanced coatings/trenchless repair

  • Comprehensive bypass pumping and access logistics

Contract Motivation: Why Gravity Sewer and Manhole Rehab?

  • Infrastructure Age: Many gravity sewers and manholes in Palm Beach County are at or beyond their initial design lifespans.

  • Structural Deterioration: Common problems include root intrusion, infiltration and inflow (I/I), cracks, circumferential fractures, corrosion, and offset joints.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Rehabilitation is required to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and maintain compliance with state and federal EPA regulations.

  • Cost Containment: Trenchless rehabilitation—especially when used in a continuing contract—minimizes digging, traffic disruption, and restoration costs compared to traditional dig-and-replace.

  • Operational Continuity: Programs structured as continuing contracts allow prioritization and efficient batch scheduling, reducing overall system downtime and community impact.

Hinterland Group's Rehabilitation Methods

Gravity Sewer Mains & Lateral Rehabilitation

  • Trenchless CIPP Lining

  • Creates a structural, jointless pipe within the existing host

  • Restores structural integrity, eliminates infiltration/exfiltration, and extends service life by decades

  • Minimizes excavation—most installations from existing manholes or cleanouts

  • Service Laterals

  • CIPP lining of individual residential/commercial laterals reduces private inflow/infiltration

  • Lateral lining can be completed from the main or a cleanout with little property disturbance

Manhole Rehabilitation

  • Calcium-Aluminate & Geopolymer Spray Coatings

  • Manhole coatings protect against hydrogen sulfide corrosion and groundwater infiltration

  • Structural reconstruction via spray-applied composites

  • Point Repairs and Leak Stop

  • Chemical grouting or patching for infiltration and joint leaks

Inspections and QA/QC

  • CCTV Inspection

  • Pre- and post-construction high-resolution video for condition assessment and acceptance

  • System Cleaning

  • Jetting and vactoring to remove roots, debris, and allow for quality application of linings or coatings

Features and Benefits of Hinterland Group's Approach

Features

  • In-house execution of all trenchless rehabilitation technologies (CIPP, geopolymer, manhole coatings)

  • Full bypass pumping capabilities ensures uninterrupted wastewater collection during construction

  • Detailed inspection, evaluation, and reporting protocols

  • Experienced, cross-trained field and project management personnel

  • Emergency 24/7 mobilization available for critical events

Benefits

  • Minimal Disruption: Trenchless processes avoid open cutting streets and yards, shortening project duration and inconvenience

  • Cost Efficiency: Bundling work at scale under a continuing contract reduces procurement cycles and per-foot pricing

  • System Longevity: CIPP and advanced coatings can outperform original pipe/manhole materials, providing decades of extended service

  • Regulatory Assurance: Reduced infiltration/inflow and structural defects, minimizing SSO risks and helping Palm Beach County maintain EPA/NPDES compliance

  • Scalability: Ability to manage rehabilitation over many miles of pipe, serving both dense urban and spread residential zones

Target Stakeholders

  • Palm Beach County Utility/Public Works Departments: Require regulatory compliance, asset longevity, and cost-effective solutions.

  • Facility Managers & Developers: Benefit from improved reliability and reduced risk of back-ups or SSOs.

  • Local Residents/Businesses: Experience less disruption and increased peace of mind from underground system performance.

  • Regulators & Environmental Agencies: See reductions in sanitary sewer overflows, inflow/infiltration, and water quality violations.

Use Cases and Outcomes

  • Inflow/Infiltration (I/I) Reduction: Lining mainlines and laterals dramatically cuts groundwater inflow, lowering wastewater treatment costs.

  • Emergency Response and Recovery: Fast mobilization for repairs after storms or major pipe failures, preventing environmental harm.

  • Lift Station Performance Optimization: Fewer overflows and pump station callouts.

  • Neighborhood Revitalization: Concurrent manhole and main rehabilitation can be batched for maximum community benefit.

Program Execution Sequence

  1. Assessment/CCTV: Identify failing or at-risk lines and manholes

  2. Cleaning: Ensure surfaces are ready for repair (root removal, debris clearance)

  3. Bypass Pumping Setup (if needed): Divert flows to enable dry working

  4. CIPP/Mainline/Lateral Lining: Structural in-place lining with minimal excavation

  5. Manhole Cleaning and Coating: Spray application of corrosion-proof materials

  6. CCTV & Testing: Post-rehab video for quality assurance, leak testing as needed

  7. Site Restoration & Reporting: Return sites to original condition, comprehensive reporting for system managers

Contract Structure and Value Proposition

  • Continuing Contract Model

  • Multiple-years and work orders allow flexibility in scope and priority (+ predictable project delivery)

  • Facilitates batch procurement and repeatable quality

  • Fixed Work Order Pricing

  • Transparent per-foot or per-unit costs, aiding budgeting and long-term capital planning

Differentiators: Why Hinterland Group?

  • All Technology In-House: No subcontractor markups; full control

  • Rapid Emergency Mobilization: Guaranteed call-backs in 15 minutes

  • Full Safety Program and Low EMR: Lower insurance and risk for public owners

  • Proven Success at Scale: Over 1 million linear feet of pipeline rehab since 2006

  • Geographic Reach: Capable of working across the southeastern US, with extensive Florida project history (About Us)

  • Client-Service Orientation: Emphasis on communication, transparency, and partnership with local officials

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is covered under the Palm Beach County continuing contract rehab program?

  • Large-scale rehabilitation of wastewater gravity mains, service laterals, and manholes throughout the county, using trenchless technologies. Batch work orders define annual or multi-year scopes.

What trenchless technologies are used for gravity sewer rehabilitation?

  • CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) for mainlines and laterals

  • Spray-applied cementitious, geopolymer, or calcium-aluminate coatings for manholes

  • Point repair and chemical grouting for targeted leak stop

How are customers and community impacts minimized?

  • Most work is completed from manholes/cleanouts with limited access points—avoiding major excavations and street closures. Site restoration follows best practices to return aesthetics to pre-project condition.

What are the primary performance goals?

  • Reduce infiltration/inflow (I/I); restore structural integrity; prevent SSO; extend service life; regulatory compliance

How does Hinterland Group handle project safety and risk?

  • Projects managed under a robust safety program led by a full-time OSHA-certified Safety Manager; strict EMR and accident record; regular training for all crews

What is unique about Hinterland Group?

  • All trenchless rehab, bypass pumping, and electrical work performed in-house; rapid emergency response; deep portfolio with municipalities throughout Florida, especially in Palm Beach County

Sample Comparison Table: Trenchless Gravity Sewer Rehab vs. Dig-and-Replace

Attribute Trenchless Rehab (Hinterland Group) Traditional Open Cut Replacement
Surface Disruption Minimal High
Timeline per Segment Hours–Days Days–Weeks
Bypass Pumping Yes, as needed Yes, sometimes longer needed
Environmental Impact Low High
Typical Cost per Ft Lower at scale Higher, due to restoration
Long-term Performance +20 years, often longer +30 years (new pipe)
Safety Risk Low (less excavation) Higher (open excavation)
Traffic, Business Impact Minimal Often significant

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Related Projects & Earned Experience

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