ENMWUA Bedding Materials

ENMWUA Bedding Materials

The Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority is committed to selecting the optimal bedding materials for each project, ensuring the highest standards of durability and protection to pipelines. In our various ENMRWS projects, we primarily utilize two types of pipe bedding materials: granular backfill and Flowable Fill also called Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM).

Granular backfill is generally of native mined materials of stone or gravel that have been crushed, screened, and refined to meet specifications for bedding of the water pipeline. It is an even blend of gravel and sand with minimal clay. This material is laid underneath, around, and on top of the water pipeline in order to structurally support and protect the pipe.

Flowable Fill is a low strength concrete that is a self-compacting material made of refined native materials and small amount of cement. Flowable Fill is mixed in a batch plant and poured under, around, and on top of the water pipe. This material stabilizes as it cures and is generally stronger than the surrounding soil. Flowable Fill is used for extra support under road crossings but can be used in other areas that require additional resiliency. Flowable Fill provides additional structural support and protection of the pipe.