Today, 22nd April, is an important day on the calendar: Earth Day. As the 50th international day of support and commitment to environmental protection, Earth Day is a timely reminder every year of the need for all individuals and organisations to commit to more environmentally responsible options and actions.

So what does HDD design have to do with environmental protection, and how does it tie in to Earth Day? A little bit of history may help.

Environmental consciousness

Earth Day came from necessity. Fifty years ago, things were very different: these were the days of leaded fuel, CFCs, and widespread, but largely inconsequential, industrial pollution. Then in 1969, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, forced the ugly impact of environmental harm to the forefront. Spurred on by pictures of seabirds and dolphins covered in oil, politicians and activists joined forces to harness public consciousness of the need for environmental protection. Aided by other environmental initiatives, environmental consciousness and protection was gaining widespread public support. And in 1970, the first Earth Day was held.

HDD comes to the fore

Around the same time, HDD and trenchless engineering were also coming to the fore. First conceived in the early 1960s by Martin Cherrington, over the ‘60s and ‘70s, HDD developed and emerged as an alternative to cut-and-cover methods for installing underground utilities. Spurred on by the burgeoning environmental movement and the pioneers’ efforts developing trenchless technology, including the first river crossing in 1971, HDD continued to mature and gather popularity as its environmental benefits were recognised. In this time of change, HDD provided a practical solution: a lower impact, more environmentally friendly option for installing the infrastructure needed by people all over the world.

So 50 years after the timely convergence of HDD and the environmental movement, we find ourselves celebrating Earth Day and recognising the real environmental contribution that HDD has made. Just a handful of these environmental benefits in comparison to traditional installation methods include:

  • HDD minimises environmental disturbance required to install pipelines and utilities. With competent trenchless design and installation, surface disturbance is confined to entry and exit points, enabling pipe installation in a variety of areas – even environmentally sensitive ones – with minimal impact.
  • HDD provides the ability to lay long-term, durable solutions which are resistant to damage and deterioration, decreasing the need for replacement and repeat works.
  • HDD methods can significantly decrease construction time and carbon footprint by eliminating the need to disturb (and reinstate) surface infrastructure, and not needing the time and machinery required for this.

Ongoing efforts

But HDD environmental responsibility is a team effort. As HDD designers, we recognise that to maintain and improve environmental performance and diligence in the industry, we need to take a two-pronged approach:

  1. Walk the walk ourselves. We do so by maintaining our third-party certified HSEQ management system, which includes compliance with ISO 14001 for environmental management. Our HSEQ system ensures we identify and mitigate our environmental impacts throughout every aspect of our operations.
  2. Assist our clients to choose environmentally friendly products and construction methodologies. As part of our HSEQ management system, we incorporate tools for assessing environmental impact, such as hydrofracture analysis and environmentally conscious site layouts, into 100% of our products. By doing so, not only are our clients well informed of how to avoid environmental issues, they are also equipped to avoid the associated safety and economic risks.

So this Earth Day, we recognise the vital part that HDD plays in getting utilities to where they are needed, with as little environmental impact as possible. HDD revolutionised the utilities industry, providing a cleaner solution at a time when environmental improvement was sorely needed. We’re proud of how far the industry has progressed, and to be working toward better and more environmentally friendly trenchless projects into the future.

A short history of convergence of the environmental movement and HDD industry, including major projects demonstrating the increase in capabilities