Bypass Solutions

When a sewer main, force main, or storm line has to come offline for repair or maintenance, the water and waste don't stop coming. Bypass Solutions from American Water, Sewer & Drain keeps that flow moving — safely rerouting it around the work zone with engineered pumps and plugs so your crews can dig, cut, line, or replace without a backup, an overflow, or a shutdown that puts the public and your permit at risk. We design and run the bypass as part of the larger job, not as a rented afterthought. As a Florida State Certified Underground Utility Contractor (CUC 1225741) — bonded, licensed, and insured — we've handled flow control on FDOT and municipal contracts from Vero Beach across the Treasure Coast and statewide. One certified contractor sizes the system, sets the plugs, monitors the run, and stands behind the whole operation start to finish.

How a bypass works

A bypass temporarily redirects flow around the section of pipe being worked on. We plug the line upstream and downstream to isolate the work zone, then carry the flow through suction and discharge hose to bypass pumps sized for your peak conditions — sanitary, force main, or storm. The system runs while crews open the trench, cut out the bad section, install CIPP liner, or set new pipe, and the line stays in service the whole time. We calculate flow rates, head pressure, and backup capacity up front so the bypass holds through wet weather and peak-hour surges, not just on a dry afternoon.

Where bypass is needed

Bypass pumping is essential anywhere a live line can't simply be shut off. That covers point repairs on sanitary and force mains, CIPP lining runs from 2 inches up to 110 inches, manhole rehabilitation, lift-station work, large-diameter storm crossings, and utility relocations ahead of roadway and DOT projects. On municipal and FDOT jobs — like our Kanner Highway (E4V49) and District 5 Lake County work — a properly engineered bypass is what keeps the public system flowing and the project on schedule while the structure underneath gets rebuilt. If the flow has to keep moving while you work, this is the service that makes it possible.

Why American Water, Sewer & Drain

Most contractors rent a pump and hope it holds. We treat the bypass as a discipline. As a Florida State Certified Underground Utility Contractor (CUC 1225741) — bonded, licensed, and insured — we bring a Vactor jet/vac fleet, trenchless rigs, and full CIPP capability to the same site, so plugging, pumping, cleaning, and the actual repair all run under one crew and one point of accountability. Our FDOT and municipal track record — including the $1.42M Kanner Highway contract and the $1.345M PGA Village (WO9) work — means we know how to keep flow control compliant, documented, and inspection-ready, not just running.

What to expect

We start with a site assessment: line size, flow conditions, access, and the scope of the repair underneath. From there we engineer the bypass — pump sizing, plug placement, hose routing, and a backup plan for peak flow and weather — and walk you through it before anything goes in the ground. During the run we monitor the system so flow stays controlled and there are no surcharges or overflows on your watch. When the repair is complete, we remove the plugs, return the line to normal service, and clean up the site. Because we self-perform the bypass and the repair, you coordinate one certified contractor for the entire job.

Frequently asked questions

Can you keep our sewer in service while you make the repair?

Yes — that's the whole point of a bypass. We isolate the work zone with upstream and downstream plugs and reroute flow through sized pumps and hose, so the line stays in service while we cut, line, or replace the section underneath. The system is engineered for your peak flow and wet-weather conditions, so it holds through the entire repair rather than just under light load.

Do you handle the bypass and the actual pipe repair, or just the pumping?

Both, under one contractor. We self-perform flow control along with CIPP lining (2 to 110 inches), point repairs, and replacement, backed by our own Vactor fleet and trenchless rigs. You don't coordinate a separate pump vendor and a separate pipe crew — American Water, Sewer & Drain plugs, pumps, repairs, and returns the line to service as one accountable job.

Are you certified and insured to do bypass work on municipal and FDOT projects?

Yes. We're a Florida State Certified Underground Utility Contractor (CUC 1225741), bonded, licensed, and insured, with a documented FDOT and municipal track record including Kanner Highway (E4V49), District 5 Lake County, and PGA Village (WO9). Our flow-control work is run to be compliant, documented, and inspection-ready for public-agency contracts.