Method for cleaning a water main

A method for cleaning a section of a trunk water main 1 between upstream and downstream control valves 2, 3 for the main 1 comprises fitting a first access port 4 into the main 1 at a first locus of the main, and fitting a second access port 5 into the main 1 at a second locus downstream of the first locus. The first and second access ports 4, 5 are fitted to the main 1 whilst the section of main remains filled with water and the first and second access ports 4, 5 are configurable to allow a cleaning swab (not shown) for the main 1 to pass through each access port 4, 5 into or out of the main 1. The cleaning swab is introduced into the main 1 through the first port 4, propelled through the section of main 1 using water pressure, and then retrieved at the second port 5. The first access port 4 is preferably adjacent to the upstream control valve 2, while the second access port 5 may be adjacent the downstream control valve 3.