Silicon Valley Clean Water Selects Name for the Tunneling Machine to Further Their $495 million Infrastructure Program
Aug 09, 2019
Silicon Valley Clean Water (SVCW) announced the selection of a name for their large tunneling machine that will support the agency’s $495 million infrastructure program. The program includes rehabilitating 3.3 miles of the agency’s raw wastewater conveyance piping system, involving installation of a new gravity pipeline.
Other projects in the program include three new or rehabilitated pump stations, and a new preliminary treatment facility at the wastewater treatment plant. The tunneling machine, called “Salus”, after the Roman goddess of safety and well-being, will bore 2.4 miles under the Redwood Shores Parkway right-of-way in Redwood City, to make way for a new wastewater conveyance pipeline.
Rick Einsiedl, a 20-year resident of the Redwood Shores neighborhood in Redwood City, proposed the winning name following a naming contest launched by SVCW, which provides wastewater service to more than 220,000 residents and businesses serving Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City and the West Bay Sanitary District. A three-member judge panel selected the name for the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from 34 entries.
“In a mining tradition that dates back centuries, it is considered good luck to give tunneling machines a name before they start work,” said Teresa Herrera, manager of SVCW. “SVCW appreciates the community’s enthusiasm and creativity during the naming contest. We look forward to welcoming Salus to Redwood City in July and for the tunneling work to commence.”
In Einsiedl’s contest submission, he wrote “Salus (Latin: salus, ‘safety,’ ‘salvation,’ ‘welfare’) was a Roman goddess. She was the goddess of safety and well-being (welfare, health and prosperity) of both the individual and the state. As a local project that befits the people this name seems fitting for the purpose, as well as a nod to the Romans who are credited with inventing modern plumbing and sanitary management.”
Built by Herrenknecht Tunneling Systems of Schwanau, the $18.2 million TBM will be arriving from Germany in July and is an alternative to more disruptive construction options. Sixteen feet in diameter and 650 feet long with all the support elements, it will arrive disassembled and the components will be reassembled underground before beginning two years of work constructing the wastewater conveyance pipeline.
The TBM not only bores out the tunnel as it advances, the high-precision equipment also installs precast concrete segments to support the tunnel in which the pipeline will be installed. The technology, used all over the world for mountain and underwater tunnels, pipelines and transit lines, was used to build San Francisco’s Central subway.
Salus will first construct a one-mile segment of tunnel to connect the new gravity pipeline with a new force main installed on Inner Bair Island. Then the TBM will install a second section of tunnel starting from a launching shaft located north of the San Carlos airport, and extending the tunnel to SVCW’s treatment plant.
About Silicon Valley Clean Water
Silicon Valley Clean Water’s mission protects public health and the environment by providing wastewater conveyance and treatment for reuse or disposal in a safe, responsible, efficient, and reliable manner. SVCW serves more than 220,000 people and businesses in our service area supporting the cities of Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City and the West Bay Sanitary District and has a strong commitment to customer service, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and regional partnerships.
About the Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade (RESCU) Program
The Regional Environmental Sewer Conveyance Upgrade (RESCU) Program will support the safety and reliability of the community’s wastewater system and protect the San Francisco Bay through rehabilitating, re-purposing, and constructing new facilities. This infrastructure investment will replace the 1960’s system to enhance the future of the Peninsula’s wastewater system and increase wastewater flows of up to 108 million gallons per day (MGD).
More News and Articles
May 17, 2024
News
Reverse engineering the insect brain
UK technology start-up Opteran is on a mission to transform the world of autonomy with advanced “natural intelligence” technology that mimics the brains of insects. Jon Excell reports.
Until now, most efforts …
May 14, 2024
News
InfoTiles to advance data-driven power generation solution
Norwegian digital analytics company, InfoTiles, known for its innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in water and wastewater management, is extending …
May 12, 2024
News
Labour pledge to tackle four key barriers in UK energy transition
Grid delays, planning delays, the ‘growing’ skills gap and supply chain problems will be rectified by the Labour party if it wins the next general election.
Speaking at Innovation …
May 10, 2024
News
A master in customised pipes
Australian Custom Pipes no longer needs an introduction. The independent, Australian-owned polyethylene pipe manufacturer has been making waves for more than 20 years.
The company’s quality polyethylene (PE) pipes …
May 08, 2024
News
Improving trenchless installations with Riteline
Riteline spacers have been successfully appraised by the Water Services Association of Australia, providing a new option for pipeline installations that complies with WSA PS-324 for casing spacers.
May 06, 2024
News
Redefining relining in Wodonga
In a step towards enhancing stormwater infrastructure, M. Tucker & Sons recently completed a challenging relining project for the Wodonga City Council.
The relining project, commissioned by the Wodonga City Council …
Apr 29, 2024
News
Minimising cultural impacts with trenchless
Through the benefits of trenchless technology, Yarra Valley Water is minimising impacts on the Upper Darebin Creek branch sewer project.
The project consists of building a 2.7km sewer pipe in Epping, …
Apr 26, 2024
News
Bothar’s cutting head innovation
The trenchless industry in Australia continues to grow and the need to provide customised solutions becomes vital for a leading subsurface contractor.
Recognising the need for advanced solutions to meet the growing …
Apr 24, 2024
News
Sustainable drainage solutions: German Start-up transforms urban water management.
Germany boasts a well-established infrastructure for managing rainwater and wastewater, yet many developing countries lack such systems. Addressing this gap, …
Apr 22, 2024
News
HDD tooling that gets the job done
Horizontal directional drilling is a dynamic process that constantly changes and adapts to suit a range of applications across utilities and infrastructure. Operators looking to get the most from their equipment …
Apr 19, 2024
News
WATCH: Overnight with SAERTEX-LINER H20 in São Paulo
Available through Pipe Core, high-quality liner SAERTEX-LINER H20 performed under pressure in São Paulo, Brazil.
Maintaining aging potable water pipe infrastructure is a constant challenge …
Apr 17, 2024
News
Immersive media provides wastewater experience in Denmark
An immersive media experience (IMX) may not be what most people want when they think about industrial wastewater, but that is exactly what visitors can expect when they visit a new installation …
Contact
SVCW - Silicon Valley Clean Water
Meghan Horrigan-Taylor
Communications Manager
1400 Radio Road
CA 94065 Redwood City
United States
Phone:
+1 650 780 7305
Fax:
+1 650 591 7122