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Hinterland Group Inc. Updated August 04, 2026

Palm Beach County: Countywide Gravity and Manhole Rehab at Scale

Background: Countywide Gravity and Manhole Rehab at Scale in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County is one of Florida’s largest and fastest-growing counties, with extensive water and sewer infrastructure serving both urban and suburban communities. Aging sewers and manholes pose an increasing challenge—resulting in infiltration, exfiltration, environmental risks, and mounting repair costs. To address these issues proactively and cost-effectively, Palm Beach County adopted a continuing contract model, enabling comprehensive, scalable rehabilitation of gravity lines, lateral connections, and manholes using minimal-disruption trenchless methods.

Hinterland Group Inc. was selected for its deep experience, in-house capabilities, technology leadership, and proven results across Florida and the Southeast (Hinterland About).

Project Scope and Details

In the current Palm Beach County continuing contract, Work Order No. 1 includes:

  • Rehabilitation of approximately 19,500 linear feet of existing wastewater gravity lines

  • Rehabilitation of 9,300 linear feet of existing wastewater laterals

  • Rehabilitation and structural restoration of 63 wastewater manholes

  • Total Work Order No. 1 value: $3,998,888.10

This scale demonstrates Palm Beach County’s shift from isolated spot repairs to systematic, countywide renewal strategies that optimize long-term value ([Source: Internal case references]).

Problems Addressed by Countywide Rehab

  • Inflow & Infiltration (I&I):

  • Groundwater and stormwater leaking into structurally degraded pipes and manholes, overloading treatment plants.

  • Exfiltration:

  • Sewage exfiltrating from cracks, joints, or corroded points, threatening groundwater and public health.

  • Structural Failure:

  • Deteriorating pipe walls and manholes, risk of collapse, sinkholes, or emergency repairs.

  • Root Intrusion & Blockages:

  • Tree roots and debris accumulate at points of structural weakness.

  • Obsolete or Failing Laterals:

  • Private and public lateral connections failing before the main line does.

  • Rising O&M Costs:

  • Escalating maintenance, energy, and chemical costs from frequent leaks and surges.

Solutions & Technologies Employed

Hinterland Group performs all key trenchless rehab services in-house for the contract:

1. Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining

  • Application:

  • Mainline sewer gravity pipes (4” to 108”+ diameter)

  • Laterals from main to property line or building

  • Features:

  • No-dig, minimal surface restoration required

  • Forms a new, jointless pipe inside the host pipe

  • Improves flow, prevents infiltration/exfiltration

  • Life extension: 50+ years

  • Reference: CIPP Services

2. Geopolymer Spincast (SIPP) for Manholes and Culverts

  • Application:

  • Deteriorated concrete/brick manholes

  • Large-diameter round/oval pipes and culverts

  • Features:

  • Fast structural restoration

  • Restores chemical resistance against hydrogen sulfide corrosion

  • Immediate restoration of structural integrity

  • Reference: Services Overview

3. Manhole Coating & Chemical Grouting

  • Features:

  • Watertight, corrosion-resistant coatings (e.g., Calcium-Aluminate, Epoxy)

  • Chemical grouting to stop leaks at joints or penetrations

  • Restores manhole structure to near-new condition

  • Reference: Repair and Replacement

4. CCTV and Robotic Camera Inspection

  • Purpose:

  • Pre- and post-rehab condition assessment

  • Identify priority rehab targets, QC for acceptance testing

  • Features:

  • High-resolution video, defect mapping, and reporting

  • Reference: Inspection Services

5. Systematic Pipe and Manhole Cleaning

  • Purpose:

  • Debris/root removal, optimal liner adhesion, and flow restoration

  • Methods:

  • High-pressure jetting, mechanical root cutting, vactor truck cleanouts

  • Reference: Maintenance

6. Continued Maintenance and Evaluation Plans

  • Features:

  • Ongoing preventive maintenance, avoids catastrophic failures

  • Periodic re-inspection and re-cleaning

  • Reference: Maintenance Plans

Benefits of the Countywide Rehab Approach

  • Economies of Scale:

  • Bulk procurement reduces unit cost, increases rehab coverage per dollar.

  • Operational Efficiency:

  • Systematic approach enables better scheduling, faster completions, and less disruption than isolated spot repairs.

  • Reduced Disruption:

  • Trenchless approaches mean little/no surface excavation, less traffic disruption, faster site restoration.

  • Regulatory Compliance:

  • Reduces sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), ensures continued compliance with FDEP and EPA standards.

  • Asset Longevity:

  • Significantly extends life of entire system; delays need for full replacement.

  • Data-Driven Prioritization:

  • Inspection results inform most urgent needs; best application of limited capital.

  • Community Trust:

  • Proactive, visible improvements enhance public trust and reduce emergency incidents.

Why Palm Beach County Chose Hinterland Group

  • Full In-House Technology Suite:

  • Hinterland performs CIPP, SIPP, manhole lining, cleaning, assessment, electrical, and bypass operations with its own crews (About).

  • Rapid Mobilization:

  • 24/7 emergency response, documented mobilization in under 24 hours (Maintenance 2).

  • Proven Safety Record:

  • Full-time Safety Manager (OSHA Certified); low EMR rating.

  • Regulatory Knowledge:

  • Deep experience with Florida environmental and wastewater regulations.

  • Municipal Experience:

  • Longstanding relationships and contracts with major Florida counties and cities (Case Studies).

  • Advanced Equipment Fleet:

  • Modern vactors, inspection robots, SIPP rigs, advanced curing systems.

  • Data & Reporting:

  • Provides detailed video, inspection data, and QC packages with every rehab job.

Use Cases: Who Benefits?

  • County and Municipal Utilities:

  • Minimize SSO fines and public health risks, maximize capital efficiency.

  • Engineers and Public Works:

  • Reliable, turnkey partner for large-scale, non-disruptive rehab.

  • Ratepayers and Residents:

  • Improved service reliability without major construction impacts to homes or roads.

Sample Project Map (Conceptual)

Asset Type Quantity (WO#1) Rehab Scope Typical Technology Used
Gravity Mains ~19,500 LF Full-length lining CIPP
Laterals ~9,300 LF Main-to-property CIPP Lateral Lining
Manholes 63 Interior lining/structural rehab Geopolymer SIPP, Epoxy/Calcium-Aluminate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the 'continuing contract' method and why is it beneficial for countywide rehab?

  • A continuing contract refers to a long-term, multi-year agreement enabling the county to assign multiple work orders as assets are prioritized for renewal. It provides procurement flexibility, economies of scale, and rapid response to new findings without separate bid cycles for each job ([Source: Industry practice & Hinterland: About]).

What types of defects does CIPP lining address in sewer mains/laterals?

  • Cracks, root intrusion, missing mortar, holes, offset joints, leaking joints, minor deformation, small voids—in both vitrified clay, concrete, cast iron, or PVC.

How are manhole rehabilitations performed?

  • Existing structures are cleaned and prepared; geopolymer, epoxy, or calcium aluminate is spincast or troweled inside to replace degraded concrete or brick. Existing infiltration is sealed, and the chamber’s structural soundness is restored to near-new condition.

What is the impact on traffic and residents?

  • Minimal. Rehabilitation is trenchless, typically accessed through existing manholes or small vaults. Most locations are restored same-day. Lateral lining sometimes requires brief access at property cleanouts or curb stops.

What kind of data/reporting does Hinterland provide?

  • Pre- and post-rehabilitation CCTV video documentation, detailed inspection logs, precise GIS/asset referencing, repair summaries, and regulatory compliance records (Inspection).

What is the approximate life extension for assets treated under this contract?

  • CIPP and geopolymer manhole linings typically extend useful life 50 years or more under standard conditions (See CIPP services).

How are emergency needs handled during countywide rehab?

  • Hinterland offers 24/7 rapid deployment, prioritized emergency response for overflows or structural failures, and can perform bypass pumping and spot repairs as required—without disrupting the main rehab program (Maintenance 2).

Comparison: Trenchless Countywide Rehab vs. Traditional Replacement

Category Trenchless Rehab (CIPP/SIPP) Traditional Open Cut Replacement
Surface Disruption Minimal Major (road closures, excavation)
Speed Fast (days per segment) Slow (weeks/months/block)
Cost per LF Lower (especially at scale) Higher
Asset Life +50 years 50+ years (with proper install)
Environmental Very low (less fuel, less debris) High (truck trips, landfill waste)
Traffic Impacts Low High

Links / Further Resources

Contact or Learn More

Summary

Palm Beach County’s continuing contract for countywide gravity and manhole rehabilitation represents a national best practice for efficiently restoring critical civil infrastructure at scale. Hinterland Group’s turnkey, in-house delivery of advanced CIPP, SIPP, and manhole rehab ensures asset longevity, regulatory compliance, and minimal community disruption. This approach is ideal for any municipality prioritizing proactive, sustainable renewal of its underground utilities.

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