Innovative technology extends irrigation structures’ operational life

25 June 2024

A team of contractors from concrete remediation specialist National Concrete Solutions (NCS) has arrived in the region to restore more than 200 regulators, bridges and culverts located across Murray Irrigation's extensive water delivery network.

The work they are undertaking over the coming weeks is designed to extend the operational life of these important irrigation structures, that were built in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, by at least 50 per cent of their design life.

The NCS crew is among more than 100 staff members and contractors who are currently on the ground carrying out maintenance and improvement works as part of Murray Irrigation's largescale Winter Works program, which takes place each year during the irrigation off-season.

This is the sixth year the NCS crew has been involved in Murray Irrigation's Winter Works program. This year, the concrete specialist has 23 team members on the ground who are headed up by National Operations Manager Joshua Freake (pictured at right).

"Murray Irrigation's Winter Works is one of the bigger projects completed by NCS," Joshua said.

"We are proud to have built this ongoing relationship that has ensured quality continued work for both ourselves and Murray Irrigation.

"NCS sees this program as a benchmark of optimal service delivery and quality workmanship for our teams nationally."

Joshua said the connections built between NCS and Murray Irrigation team members remains a highpoint of this six-year working relationship.

"It's genuinely a great project to be a part of each Winter (when it doesn’t rain too much!)," he said.

"We really enjoy connecting with the Murray Irrigation teams in Finley, then Deniliquin and finishing with 'Tilly' (Geoff Till) and his team at Wakool.

"The relationship between NCS and Murray Irrigation team members is something we really appreciate.

"And while the project has its challenges, no two jobs are the same and overcoming the complexities at play is also very rewarding and fun.

"Plus it's always great to be working in an environment where the community is friendly, and we can enjoy a good pub meal."

Murray Irrigation is investing around $8 million into its 2024 Winter Works program.

With the requisite sections of the water delivery network now drained of water, the activity has commenced in earnest. There is a long list of work to be completed before the channels are refilled ahead of spring watering.

This includes channel bank reconstruction, weed removal, and replacing and repairing various assets and general maintenance.

While the channels in the company's Winter operations areas lay temporarily quiet, a team of engineering consultants will also traverse the network inspecting hundreds of irrigation structures that are essential to the reliable delivery of water to local farming operations.

Depending on their condition, some of this infrastructure may need immediate rectification, while others will be earmarked for attention through the company's forward planning strategy.

The challenge of ageing infrastructure is a critical area of focus for Murray Irrigation, which is why a large portion of its Winter Works budget is injected into life extension projects such as batter protection and the ever-important concrete remediation work.

As the NCS team steadily works its way across footprint, they will pressure wash each structure before inspecting them for cracks, spalling (the condition where concrete starts to crumble or deteriorate) and general wear and tear, and then finally carry out the necessary restoration work.

A critical step in the remediation process is the application of a crystalline waterproofing coating designed to combat corrosion, which is one of the chief enemies of steel reinforced concrete.

It works by infiltrating fine cracks and pores that lie beneath the concrete surface. The chemicals then react with water to form crystals that fill these tiny gaps and block water from reaching reinforced steel embedded within the structure.

It's an effective method for preventing pervasive rust that destroys concrete structures over time.

Expanding the life span of older concrete infrastructure is a central platform of Murray Irrigation's intergenerational strategy, which is focused on securing the long term financial sustainability of the business and ensuring its irrigation network continues to deliver water for generations to come.

Murray Irrigation is due to complete its Winter Works program by early August.

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