Adaptive Application Methods for 58-Manhole Rehabilitation Project
The City of Clinton, Arkansas, initiated a major sanitary sewer collection system improvement project to address inflow and infiltration and extend infrastructure service life. Horseshoe Construction Inc., based in Bryan, Texas, served as the field applicator under Bradley S. King, with engineering by SALT Engineers & Planners of Searcy, Arkansas through Kyle Breckenridge. The scope included rehabilitating 58 manholes across town, covering more than 5,000 square feet of surface area.
The project involved brick, precast concrete, and cast-in-place concrete substrates. Surface preparation utilized Mortartec Hydrxx-3 to stop active infiltration and Mortartec Silicate to rebuild missing brick sections and fill deteriorated grout joints. Dry abrasive blasting was performed in select areas to achieve proper surface profile.
Application methods adapted to site conditions, using spray techniques in accessible locations and trowel application for remote manholes in wooded areas accessible only by UTV. Epoxytec’s CPP products were selected for their ability to withstand hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and aggressive chemical conditions common in sanitary sewer applications.
This project presented unique logistical challenges.
The manholes were dispersed throughout Clinton, with many located in wooded areas accessible only by UTV. The project marked Horseshoe Construction’s first job without their dedicated spray trailer, requiring coordination of four separate trailer units at each site: rental spray equipment, trailer-mounted generator, air compressor, and pressure washer. Moving and positioning these four trailers to each of the 58 locations represented the largest operational challenge encountered thus far.
When completed in November 2025, the Clinton sanitary sewer improvements will provide the city with long-term infrastructure protection and renewed reliability. With CPP products as the rehabilitation system backbone, the infrastructure will handle the demands of sanitary service for years to come, utilizing approximately 600 gallons of coating material across the critical infrastructure surface area.
(This project remains ongoing as of September 2025, with Horseshoe Construction continuing to work through the remaining manholes across Clinton.)
