Keeping the Beaches Clean with Weholite

As an eminently touristic city, Pattaya was suffering from a dilemma. It could not afford to keep the beaches closed for too long, especially during high season, but at the same time it had a responsibility to its people to alleviate major flooding issues. So, the burning questions were, how could it install a 1km long, DN1800 outfall and commission it before New Year’s Eve 2020 despite the challenges of a global pandemic and crowded beaches. This is the story of how the collaboration between Weholite licensee, Wiik Public Co. Ltd of Thailand and Uponor Project Services of Finland overcame major adversity to deliver the outfall well within time constraints despite very tight Covid-19 restrictions in the country.

The Jewel of Southeast Asia

Pattaya, lies on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The population of approximately 100,000 is relatively small when compared to the ten million tourists that visit there each year. From humble beginnings, it started as a small fishing village, Pattaya has become one of the most famous and popular beach destinations in the whole of Southeast Asia.

With tourism having such a huge impact on the city’s economy, keeping the beaches and streets clean is vitally important to both residents and visitors. The only way to achieve this vision and alleviate the flooding that plagues Pattaya during the rainy season, was to install a new marine outfall and this ensures a healthy environment for all who reside there.

2020 a year like no other

It had been a century since the World had seen its like. A killer pandemic sweeping across the Globe leaving devastation in its wake, meant that even the thought of carrying out a major infrastructure project such as this, seemed like a far off and distant dream. However, if we add to this, the fact that the municipality wanted commissioning and handover before New Year’s Eve 2020, then we were entering the realms of ridiculous.?

This is where Uponor Project Services enter the story. A Weholite marine outfall, 1015 metres of ID/DN1800 SN4 Weholite, with a diffuser section to prevent flooding in the city. Just like a fingerprint or DNA, each project is unique. The sheer elegance of Uponor’s marine engineering is exquisite.

Uponor Project Services accepted the challenge, of course they did; now it was time to start the real work.

History repeating….

The highest form of flattery that any customer can give you is to place a repeat order. This, of course, is a demonstration of happiness. Such is the case for Pattaya. Four years ago, Uponor Infra Project Services completed its first Weholite marine project in Thailand, also in Pattaya. At that time, Uponor was given the task of constructing two new outfalls as the old ones were in urgent need of replacement. Since the installation site was located right in the heart of the tourist area, fast and precise execution was a must. This new pipeline would alleviate an area further along the beach in times of heavy rain. Once again allowing tourism to flourish and grow.

Challenging Times Ahead

Even though Weholite was the clear option from the beginning due to its excellent technical advantages, faster installation and low environmental impact, there were still those massive challenges to overcome, the burning questions;?would it be feasible to get the outfall working before 2020 New Year’s Eve and how were these activities going to be affected by the pandemic??

Then there were, what could be called lesser challenges; logistics. As a major tourist city, Pattaya could not keep the beaches closed for too long and yet, both the fabrication yard, located in Bang Lamung District and the installation site at Phra Tamnak Beach, are usually extremely crowded places.

The scene was set. Four flanged 225-metre strings and one 115-metre in addition to a diffuser section and a 47° bend had to be manufactured, welded and submerged before the end of 2020 in order to satisfy the requirements of the local municipal authorities.?

Getting the Job Done

The works on site were led by Project Manager?Pablo Ramon. Lots of travel documentation, several swab tests, and fifteen quarantine days for the whole Project Services team were required before a blow could be struck. However, all came through unscathed, and the works began towards the end of October 2020. Countdown had started.

The pipes were manufactured at the Amata City Factory owned by Weholite licensee in Thailand, Wiik Public Co. Ltd. "The work was carried out by two teams, one from Vaasa and one from Pattaya," tells Pablo Ramon; “the patented ballasting method means that preparation, launching and submersion can be performed much faster than when concrete collars are used.” All the Uponor works were finished by the middle of December, despite waiting for the marine contractor to conclude the dredging works.?

A Happy Ending

The tight schedule and the challenges posed by the pandemic did not faze the teams from Uponor and Wiik. Everything was completed on time, and all were home for Christmas. Ironically, the outfall didn’t go into service until the end of January 2021, after a new Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand forced a temporary lockdown of the whole area of Chonburi.?

Once again, Weholite has shown its credentials on a major infrastructure project. Versatile, lightweight and with a patented and unique ballasting system, it has played the main role in a project that will keep the City of Pattaya and its beaches clean – and ready to, Covid-19 permitting, welcome tourists from all over the world very soon.?