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  • Writer's pictureAmex Sanivar

Kirstenbosch Gardens allows SaniTube liner for repairs

Updated: Nov 8, 2022

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is renowned worldwide for its beauty and setting in Cape Town. When Kirstenbosch was founded in 1919 its main purpose was to preserve the native flora of South Africa. Movement in and around Kirstenbosch is highly restricted as the gardens are unique and protected under the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

In 2018 a leaking pipe was discovered running through the gardens which created with it multiple problems, namely:

1. Any rehabilitation methods cannot damage the gardens

2. 400m needed to be relined in one pull – other trenches were not possible

3. Flexibility in the solution was required for installation within tight requirements

As the pipe was above ground, no trenches needed to be dug, nor were they allowed to be dug. SaniTube® was chosen as it provided Kirstenbosch a lasting solution without damaging the Gardens.



The challenges in this project were many. The planning process required working closely with our South African partner Bodotex and their installation team with WBHO. Before the project even began everything from how the liner was to be transported to the host pipe to where the liner was to be placed on-site needed approval from the gardens.

On site the liner needed to be folded closed and taped by hand while it was hand-winched down to the reservoir at the exit point. Each part of the liner – from storage point to pipe entry – had to be closely monitored to ensure that no damage was done to the gardens.


The whole installation took place at the end of June, 2019 and lasted about 12 hours. After careful work, placement, and planning, the Bodotex and WBHO crew were able to successfully hand winch all 400m of SaniTube® without causing any lasting damage to the protected areas.

The host pipe was able to be reinstated after pressure tests and the SaniTube®’s first job in South Africa was a resounding success.


SaniTube Specifications

How it works

· SaniTube® consists of a textile liner, and a double-sided thermoplastic coating

· Suited for the rehabilitation of all common types of pipes DN50 to DN450

· Suitable for great variety of media: potable water, sewage, industrial applications, gas, oil, and petrol

· SaniTube® is pulled-in via standard winch and reconnected to host pipe using a flange coupling


Main advantages

· Rehabilitation of up to 3000m in a single pull – incl. bends of up to 40°

· Design life of 50 years

· No resin, no impregnation, and no curing needed

· High resistance to pressure: burst pressures of over 34 bar w/o host pipe and resistant to vacuum

· Easy installation & no need for special equipment

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