The Navajo Nation’s aging infrastructure issues were addressed using AGRU’s HDPE pipe, engineering through rough terrain to fight drought susceptibility.
Context
The Navajo Nation spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. This region faces harsh desert climates and is frequently affected by drought. For years, two aging steel siphons helped transport water from the Hogback Canal to the Navajo Nation. A decision was made to replace this aging infrastructure with a new water transmission pipeline.
Opportunities
The old steel infrastructure was prone to leaks, resulting insignificant water loss and placing additional strain on the Nation during droughts. The area’s rocky desert terrain, with its rapid elevation changes, posed a unique challenge for potential upgrades. Additional earthwork could delay installation and increase costs. A different solution was needed.
Solution
HDPE pipe was chosen because of its flexibility, durability, and fusible joints. The pipe’sflexibility and durability helped simplify installation and address some of the terrain’schallenges. Equally important were the machined tees with elongated stub flanges, positioned at key elevation changes along the pipeline and designed to maintain the system’s pressure rating.
HDPE’s proven service life and leak-proof fusible joints provide a long-term return on investment, reducing maintenance needs and helping to retain more water within the system.
About 2,600 ft of OD 1800 mm SDR 21 HDPE pipe was produced by AGRU and installed by ISCO using specialized McElroy equipment.
Outcome
The pipe installation was successful and completed in January 2025.
Overview
- Project: Navajo Nation Hogback Canal
- Completion: 2025
- Location: Shiprock, NM
- Products: OD 1800 mm SDR 21 HDPE Pipe ( 2,600 ft), 1800 mm SDR 21 15° elbows ( Qty 3), Machined reducing tee with elongated stub flange 1800 mm/900 mm SDR 21 ( Qty 2), Elongated stub flanges 1800 mm SDR 21 ( Qty 4)
- Owner: Navajo Nation
- Engineer: Delph Engineering
- Installer: Meridian/ ISCO
- Distributor: ISCO
- Manufacturer: AGRU America, Inc.
- Special Equipment: McElroy Talon
- Method: Fusion
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