If you’re experiencing low water pressure, unexpectedly high-water bills, discoloured water, or unusual tastes, it may point to a leak or deteriorating supply pipes—often a sign that it’s time for a water supply pipe replacement, especially if your system still contains lead or other outdated materials. These issues are common for homeowners and small businesses in across Cambridgeshire, prompting many to search for solutions like water line repair or to consider lead pipe replacement for a more permanent fix.
Watermains replacement in Cambridgeshire has changed in recent years, thanks to the development of modern moling and drilling machines. In a towns and cities across the county where space is limited and streets and roads are constantly busy, traditional excavation methods are often too disruptive, slow, and impractical. Replacing or installing water mains in such a densely built and areas requires a faster, less-disruptive, and more efficient solution.
EPS Trenchless Installations specialise in modern no-dig trenchless technology, designed to reduce surface disruption while delivering faster, long-lasting results. By using advanced moling and directional drilling techniques, we provide cleaner, more cost-effective utility installations, particularly suited to busy urban environments. As a trusted water company approved contractor, EPS Trenchless Installations delivers water infrastructure repair and replacement for both domestic homeowners and small businesses in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re upgrading ageing pipework or planning a new watermains connection, our moling and horizontal directional drilling technology offers reliable, professional.
Impact moling, sometimes referred to as pipe moling or pneumatic moling, is a cutting-edge trenchless technology for installing underground utilities, including water pipes, electric cables, and fibre optic lines. It involves using a device called an impact mole. Occasionally referred as a water mole or pipe mole machine, an impact mole is a pneumatic burrowing device that creates horizontal boreholes through repetitive percussive action. Impact moling is faster and cheaper with the impact moling cost per meter being significantly lower than traditional open cut methods.
The technique is particularly effective in urban settings, where minimising disruption to roads, footpaths, landscapes, and other infrastructure is important. In more rural areas, moling with its minimal environmental impact preserves the local ecosystems, countryside, and wildlife.
Impact moling is a precise and efficient method that creates a guided tunnel through the soil for laying utilities. It is extremely useful when accessing limited spaces, as the moling equipment typically consists of a compressed air-driven pneumatic cylinder with relatively small entry and exit pits. For those considering impact mole hire, it is better to use experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of this technology.
Installing or replacing water mains in Cambridgeshire’s urban, suburban and rural areas using traditional trenching methods has always been a difficult task. Impact moling, as part of comprehensive moling services, offers several key advantages:
The trenchless nature of impact moling preserves surface infrastructure, particularly crucial in Cambridgeshire older towns and districts and more modern urban areas, maintaining the integrity of roads, pavements, and gardens. This makes it an ideal method for domestic water main replacement and pipe replacement projects, ensuring the minimum disruption of homeowners and businesses.
Impact moling is a game-changer for water pipe repairs and replacing water supply pipes, slashing costs compared to traditional methods. With less labour and minimal reinstatement work needed, it's a faster, more budget-friendly solution that keeps disruption to a minimum. Moling contractors near me can provide competitive pricing for these services, with favourable installation rates compared to traditional methods.
The trenchless installation method of impact moling means quicker installation compared to traditional methods, reducing job timelines and inconvenience to homeowners, residents and businesses. It's especially great for quickly and efficiently replacing water main-to-house connections, with many installations, depending on the pipe length and diameter, being completed within a day.
By avoiding extensive excavation, impact moling helps protect Cambridgeshire's local ecosystem and reduces the environmental impact of utility installations. Moling is the environmentally friendly solution among no-dig techniques for underground pipe installations, minimizing soil displacement and greatly reducing the carbon footprint of projects.
Impact moling can be used for various underground utility installation projects, including water pipe installation, electrical cable installation, and fibre optic installation. The process begins with excavating small entry and exit pits at the start and end points of the desired pipe route. The moling equipment is then inserted into the entry pit and guided through the soil using horizontal digging techniques for borehole creation.
This method is particularly useful for residential water pipe installations, typically ranging from 750mm to 1350mm below ground level. The pipe diameter that can be installed using moling techniques varies, but it’s generally suitable for smaller to medium-sized pipes. Most domestic water mains will have an 25mm or 32mm MDPE pipe installed. We can install larger pipes – please contact us for details.
If you’re dealing with old lead pipes and low water pressure, a main water pipe replacement is normally the best the solution. Using a moling machine, we can install new pipes without digging up your entire garden or driveway. This method is perfect for upgrading older smaller, iron and lead pipe sizes to modern, safer materials.
Impact moling is not only useful for new installations but also for addressing existing water supply problems. It can be used in conjunction with leak detection and pipe tracing technologies to find and fix issues such as poor water pressure or water leakage. In the case of repairing leaking pipes, on longer pipe runs, after the leak has been traced, it is sometimes better to bypass the leak with moling, thus ensuring minimal excavation and disruption to the surrounding area. This approach can lead to significant improvement in water quality and water flow.
When it comes to water pipe replacement, various materials have been used in Cambridgeshire, including iron, black alkathene plastic and lead pipes. All of this older infrastructure is being phased out due to age of the pipes or health concerns and is being replaced with modern blue MDPE plastic pipes. Blue MDPE pipes offer durability and flexibility, making them ideal for use with impact moling techniques.
There are two main types of Trenchless Technology – Impact moling or Directional Drilling. So when it comes to installing or replacing underground pipes without digging up your driveway, garden, or car park – which is best for your property or business premises?
Impact moling is ideal for smaller-scale jobs like domestic mains water pipe replacement, electrical cable and fibre-optic cable installations, especially under lawns, driveways, or pathways and can normally be completed within a day. For long runs of over 30m Horizontal Directional Drilling is the better option especially for larger-scale projects, commercial sites and more complex installs.
Impact moling has revolutionised utility installations county-wide across Cambridgeshire, delivering exceptional efficiency while keeping the cost competitive. The county’s historical significance and varied soil conditions make moling an ideal choice for infrastructure upgrades. From domestic water main repairs and replacements to electric cable and fibre optic installations, the minimal disruption and reasonable price of impact moling make it the go-to of Cambridgeshire’s underground development, preserving the area’s character while facilitating modern infrastructure advancement.
As a water company approved contractor, EPS’s impact moling technology is increasingly being adopted for new underground pipe installation and common supply work throughout the region. This innovative approach to watermains replacement not only addresses immediate water supply problems but also provides a long-term, cost-effective solution for maintaining and upgrading Cambridgeshire’s vital water supply pipe infrastructure.
For those seeking “moling contractors near me,” it’s important to choose experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of this technology and can ensure proper utility ducting and trenchless installation techniques are employed. With the right expertise, impact moling can significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of underground utility work in Cambridgeshire and beyond.
Case Study: Across Cambridgeshire, homeowners in both rural villages and busy market towns are increasingly upgrading their outdated water supplies to modern MDPE pipes. Many properties in the region still rely on lead or steel pipes, which restrict flow and can pose a long-term health risk. Whether in the Fenlands with their soft peat soils, or the heavier clay zones around Ely, Huntingdon, and Cambridge, traditional trenching can be costly, messy, and completely disruptive to driveways, gardens, or landscaped paths. One of our recent Cambridgeshire projects involved replacing a faulty shared lead supply in a terraced home near St Ives, where the customer had just laid new turf and installed a patio seating area they didn’t want touched.
Thanks to impact moling, we’ve been able to deliver no-dig water pipe replacements countywide with exceptional results. From Cambourne’s chalky ground conditions to Wisbech’s water-retaining Fenland peat, our team has adapted to every type of soil—completing clean underground installations with no visible mess or disruption. We’ve worked beneath resin-bound driveways in Peterborough, navigated around mature trees in Soham, and protected historic cobbled entrances in Ely. In every case, we’ve provided fast, modern upgrades that improve water flow, support new combi boilers or high-efficiency heating systems, and eliminate the risk of pipe bursts or contamination. For Cambridgeshire residents, impact moling offers the perfect combination of speed, cleanliness, and long-term peace of mind.
Cambridgeshire is home to a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks. The iconic Ely Cathedral, with its stunning architecture, stands as a testament to the region’s rich ecclesiastical heritage. In Cambridge, the Fitzwilliam Museum offers an extensive collection of art and antiquities. Nature enthusiasts can explore the Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, one of Britain’s oldest nature reserves, boasting diverse wildlife and scenic walking trails. For a unique experience, visitors can enjoy punting along the River Cam with Scudamore’s Punting Company, offering a quintessential Cambridge activity. Additionally, the Cambridge Gin Laboratory provides an interactive space for gin enthusiasts to learn about and taste locally crafted spirits.
Cambridgeshire boasts a rich tapestry of history, with human activity dating back to prehistoric times. The region was notably influenced by Roman occupation, as evidenced by the recent discovery of a well-preserved Roman town near Great Staughton, featuring streets, buildings, and industrial areas such as pottery kilns and blacksmith forges. Following the Roman era, the area became part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia and later played a significant role during the Danelaw period. The establishment of the University of Cambridge in 1209 marked a pivotal moment, transforming the county into a renowned center of education and culture.
Cambridgeshire’s landscape is characterized by its flat, low-lying terrain, particularly in the Fens, with soil compositions ranging from clay and silt to peat. These conditions can pose challenges for traditional excavation methods due to soil instability and high-water tables. Trenchless installation techniques, such as moling and horizontal directional drilling (HDD), offer efficient solutions by minimizing surface disruption and preserving the integrity of the surrounding environment.
If you’re seeking information on water supply, wastewater services, and pipe replacement in Cambridgeshire, the following resources may be helpful.
Cambridgeshire’s water supply and wastewater services are managed by Anglian Water.
EPS Trenchless Installations – Specialists in moling and horizontal directional drilling for replacement and new water main installation.
Skip to content
