Successful Fast-Track Pipeline Remediation at Houston’s New Wastewater Treatment Plant

Mission‑Critical Background

Houston’s newest wastewater treatment facility was racing toward a commissioning deadline when crews discovered widespread moisture intrusion inside three miles of below‑grade chlorine‑dioxide distribution piping. Left unchecked, residual water threatened to corrode stainless linings, dilute disinfection potency, and stall the plant’s start‑up schedule. The prime contractor tapped John C. Digertt Inc. to engineer a rapid, non‑invasive remediation solution that could be mobilized immediately and completed without trenching or pipe
replacement.

What Made the Job Challenging

● Long Continuous Runs – Over 15,000 ft of 10‑in. and 12‑in. pipe left no room for
sectional vacuum drying or pigging.
● Chemical‑Grade Cleanliness – Residual moisture or debris would compromise
chlorine‑dioxide purity and downstream instrumentation.
● Zero Schedule Flex – The disinfection system had to be online before influent
testing—no grace‑period extensions.
● Confined Site Logistics – Active civil construction required minimal footprint and carefully
coordinated crane picks.

Digertt’s Rapid‑Response Playbook

1. Quick Mobilization – Dispatched a 20‑ft mobile desiccant‑drying trailer from our
   Gulf‑Coast fleet and had boots on the ground within 24 hours of the request.
2. Closed‑Loop Desiccant Drying – Installed temporary manifold headers at both ends of
   each leg, circulating heated, moisture‑scrubbing air until internal dew point reached
   −40 °F.
3. Inline Dew‑Point Monitoring – Placed portable hygrometers every 500 ft and logged
   values to a cloud dashboard, giving the GC real‑time proof of progress.
4. Corrosion‑Inhibitor Fogging – After drying, introduced a food‑grade volatile inhibitor to
   coat the stainless interior and prevent flash rust during standby.
5. Collaborative Scheduling – Sequenced pipe segments around concrete pours and
   electrical work so every trade stayed productive and the critical path stayed intact.

Coast‑to‑Coast Capability Proven Again

Headquartered thousands of miles away, Digertt’s ability to mobilize, manage, and execute in
Houston underscores our reach: whether it’s a data center in Arizona or deep utilities in Texas,
we bring the expertise and gear to keep critical infrastructure projects moving.

About John C. Digertt Inc.

For over 40 years we’ve safeguarded fuel and fluid systems for campuses, utilities, and
industrial sites across North America. Our mobile fleet of desiccant dryers, filtration skids, and
field technicians stands ready 24/7.

Need Pipeline Remediation—Fast?

Let’s clear the moisture, not your schedule. Connect on LinkedIn or visit digertt.com to start the
conversation.