August 2025 Vol. 80 No. 8
Features
Florida utilities turn to polymer concrete to combat sewer corrosion
(UI) — When Armorock entered the Florida market in 2017, sewer infrastructure across the state was failing at an unsustainable rate. Existing precast structures were deteriorating from the hydrogen sulfide gas in wastewater environments. In response, the industry turned to liners, coatings and admixtures to extend the life of these structures.
Operating at the time as Geneva Pipe, a precast manufacturer that utilized these very solutions, it was easy to see firsthand how liners would delaminate, coatings would crack, and the underlying concrete would continue to corrode. After years of seeing these failures repeatedly, the owner of Geneva Pipe, Vince Bussio, decided the industry needed a better solution. He founded Armorock with a goal: to create a fully corrosion-proof structure that solves the root of the problem.
Florida quickly emerged as one of the most critical regions in need of a permanent solution. The state’s combination of high groundwater, excessive humidity, and swampy soil created an ideal environment for aggressive hydrogen sulfide corrosion. In many cases, manholes and lift stations were failing within a year of installation. Rehabilitation became routine. The burden of these system failures fell on municipalities. Once developers completed a project, municipalities took over maintenance of the wastewater systems.
Armorock Polymer Concrete educated Florida municipalities about its innovative solution to the corrosion problem. By delivering a structure that is truly corrosion-proof, Armorock highlighted the reduced long-term rehabilitation costs and cost savings. While the technical advantages were clear, municipalities still needed proof through real-world performance, especially after years of bandaid solutions overpromising and under-delivering.
To build this trust, Armorock launched a pilot program in Northern Florida in a system with high H2S levels: 800-plus PPM in manholes and 1000-plus PPM in lift stations. An Armorock Polymer Concrete Manhole and Lift Station was installed in this highly corrosive environment. Conducting a three-year study, the company regularly checked on the product. After three years, no rehabilitation was needed, the walls were spotless, and no maintenance had to be performed.
That pilot became a catalyst. Over 100 municipalities reviewed the findings. Engineers visited project sites and saw the performance firsthand. As soon as one city adopted Armorock, others began to follow. Standard specifications changed. The cycle of short-term fixes gave way to long-term planning.
Today, thousands of Armorock structures have been installed across Florida, with new installations taking place every day. Not even one has required rehabilitation. Forward-thinking municipalities in Florida have proven what is possible when long-term performance is prioritized over short-term cost. Armorock offers an innovative, proven solution to one of the most costly and persistent challenges in wastewater systems.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Armorock, armorock.com
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