Remote Culvert Cleaning Using Robotic and Vacuum Systems

18 June 2025

This case study outlines the successful delivery of a large-diameter culvert cleaning project carried out by McBreen Environmental. The works involved the desilting of eight culverts, each approximately 2.7 metres in diameter and 60 metres in length, using advanced robotic cleaning equipment and high-capacity vacuum systems.

The project focused on improving safety in confined space environments, reducing manual labour, and ensuring no structural impact to the existing infrastructure, while meeting tight project timelines and environmental compliance standards.

Scope of Works:

Cleaning of eight culverts, approximately 2.7 m in diameter and 60 m in length, using robotic equipment and vacuum systems, supported by a confined space team.

Objectives:

Minimise time and labour required in confined space environments
Ensure no structural damage to the existing culverts during desilting
Improve safety by reducing reliance on intensive manual labour
Shorten overall project duration

Solutions:

Project Delivery:

Each barrel contained approximately 800 mm of silt
The team achieved 10–15 m of cleaning per day
Gerotto operated remotely, with hourly technician rotation
Continuous monitoring to avoid structural damage
Waste collected in a DISAB Vacuum Unit, transferred to skips, and disposed of at a licensed facility