News & Announcements

October 1, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

A Smarter Way to Replace Pipes: Trenchless Rehabilitation

Did you know that not every underground pipe repair requires tearing up a whole street? The Department of Public Works (DPW) sometimes uses a technique called trenchless pipe rehabilitation, which allows crews to repair water and sewer lines through small access points instead of digging large trenches.

This method is typically chosen for select pipes when it makes the most sense. For example, it may be used when the pipe is very deep or located near tree roots or other obstacles that would make open-trench replacement more disruptive. Contractors, in partnership with DPW and the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), determine when this approach is the best option based on site conditions.

When trenchless methods are used, neighbors often notice the difference:

• Less disruption: Fewer cuts to streets, sidewalks, and yards and fewer right-of-way closures
• Faster schedules: Crews can often finish work sooner than traditional replacement
• Reduced impacts: Less noise, dust, and inconvenience for residents and businesses

While not every project can use trenchless technology, it is one of the ways DPW is working to modernize New Orleans’ infrastructure while keeping neighborhoods open, safe, and connected.