INDUSTRY
Water Treatment – Pipe Penetration Sealing
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Size: 24" Pipe
Temperature: Ambient
Media: Water
Pressure: 4.3 PSI (10 feet of head)
Application: Pipe penetration sealing at river water inlet
BACKGROUND
A Canadian water treatment plant, built along a river, needed a reliable sealing solution for vertical pipe penetrations drawing in raw water for treatment. These penetrations opened directly into a below-grade control room housing critical pumps, valves, and filtration equipment. It was essential that the seal prevent any river water from bypassing the pipe, protecting the control room and ensuring uninterrupted operations.
CHALLENGES FACED
During installation, a contractor substituted the specified seal with a competitor’s product on one of two 24” pipe penetrations. Both penetrations faced significant river pressure. The seal installed with LINK-SEAL® Model C held firm, while the competitor’s hybrid assembly failed. The resulting leak flooded the control room, damaging equipment and causing operational downtime.
SOLUTION AND BENEFITS
To correct the issue, the failed penetration was re-sealed using LINK-SEAL® Model C with Black EPDM and Carbon Steel Hardware, the same model that had already proven successful. The original installation remained leak-free under identical conditions, demonstrating the product’s reliability.
With the replacement in place, the facility regained full protection from water intrusion. This event reinforced the importance of using a complete, engineered sealing system. LINK-SEAL® enabled the plant to restore confidence in its infrastructure, protect critical assets, and prevent future disruptions.
