Colombian representatives were in attendance at the ISTT International No-Dig in Toronto in early 2009. The affiliation of the Colombian Institute of Subterranean Infrastructure Technologies and Techniques (CISTT) was agreed upon, as well as a decision to celebrate the inaugural Colombian No-Dig in June 2010. The first CISTT meeting was held in 2009, attended by representatives from companies including Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), Coninsa RAMONH, SYE, VE, Herrenknecht, SOLETANCHE, BESSAC, PAVCO and FLOWTITE.

The ISTT and the CISTT have common aims concerned with advancing the science and practice of Trenchless Technology.

The Colombian trenchless industry is vibrant and growing. A successful course was held at the EAFIT University (Escuela de Administración y Finanzas de Medellín), called: Tecnologías de Excavación sin Zanja, or Trenchless Technology. The course was attended by 26 engineers belonging to several companies including EPM, E.S.P, Coninsa – Ramón H – S.A. and SYE Ingenieros.

A number of projects have utilised Trenchless Technology to avoid surface disruption and complete projects on time and in budget. The CISTT will facilitate the continued growth of the trenchless industry.

Fucha – Tunjuelo Interceptor

The Fucha – Tunjuele Interceptor will transport wastewater from La Magdalena Reservoir to a sewerage treatment plant. This interceptor is 9.4 km long with a variable overburden of 8 and 15 m and an internal diameter of 3.75 m. The tunnel was constructed using an EPB Machine with precast segments, beginning 26 February 2007 and finishing in November 2009.

This contract, design and construction, was executed by a consortium composed by Soletanche – Bachy – Conconcreto and the owner is the EAAB (Empresa de Acueducto y Alcantarillado de Bogotá).

Pilot tube microtunnelling in Fontibón, Bogotá

This microtunnelling project was designed and constructed in order to solve a problem the lack of capacity of a combined system and repair serious deterioration. The solution proposed was dividing stormwater from wastewater. The total length was 21 km, including 18 km installed by trenchless methods through soft clay and sand. The diameter ranged from 400 to 1,800 mm.

Prado Centro project

The relining of a 149 m tunnel system, with an external diameter of 1,700 mm, under one of the most important hospitals in Medellin was completed by hand excavation with steel support and the construction of a parallel pipeline to collect laterals from the hospital.

The advantages of this project include:

• Less environmental and social impact
• Pilot project in Medellín
• Less risk during construction
• Standardised process, mechanical strength guaranteed zone
• Parking and cab
• Permanent access to the hospital.

CIPP in Medellín – La Hueso Creek Project

This CIPP project to rehabilitate the south pipe of La Hueso creek with a total length of 1,067 m (3,500 ft) involved three different internal diameters: 700 mm, 800 mm, and 900 mm.

North Interceptor microtunnelling project in Medellín

The North Interceptor will transport the wastewater and stormwater of several neighbourhoods to the local sewerage treatment plant. The pipeline will cross four rivers and necessitates 4.5 km of branch interceptors.

Construction of the 7.7 km interceptor, with internal diameters of 1.8, 2.2 and 2.4 m, will be completed in two sections;

Section one – Caribe Neighbourhood to Metro System workshops

Section two – Western Regional roadway (projected) to treatment plant, incorporating four river crossings

The average volume is 6.5 cubic metres per second and the maximum volume including all connections is 13.5 cubic metres per second.

Río Bogotá – Tunjuelo – Canoas microtunnelling interceptor

The Río Bogotá – Tunjuelo – Canoas is an interceptor to continue the general sanitation project of the Bogotá River and its creeks and reservoirs. The length of the interceptor is 8.1 km with an internal diameter of 4.2 m and external diameter of 4.8 m, to be installed in soft soil. The minimum overburden is 12 m and the maximum overburden is 32 m.