To Leak or not to leak
The Hague. Europe could learn a thing or two about how water companies in the
Netherlands deliver their product without a drop to waste. World masters in water
engineering, the Dutch discovered leak-free PVC pipes in the 1950's. Recent comparative
studies indicate that their passion for plastic pipes is justified.
In 2001, Ofwat, the UK water regulatory body carried out a comparative study of leakage
rates in various countries. Whereas extremely high rates of up to 30 % were noted in the
US and the UK, only minimal rates of 3 – 7% were found in the Netherlands.
These „water tight' conclusions prompted further studies that were commissioned by
Dutch water companies, namely DZH, PWN, Waternet and Oasen. KIWA water
research, an independent technical authority, compared best practices in the Netherlands
and the UK. Two cities in the Netherlands were chosen and two methods were used to
compare leakage namely a top down and bottom up approach. With these two methods,
water loss rates of for example, 0.4 % and 1.5% were recorded respectively.
Roger Loop who is director of BureauLeiding, the Dutch Association of Plastic Pipes
systems was not surprised with the research findings: “Plastic pipes were developed in
the Netherlands to replace corroded pipeline networks. With the growth in urbanisation,
Dutch water companies extended these assets. We now have a delivery system that is
probably the best in the world in terms of performance, lifetime and return on
investment.”
Leakage in the UK and other European countries remains a source of contention for end
users who expect quantity and quality from their water companies. Industry analysts
believe that antiquated pipe systems and their makers are in need of serious rehabilitation.
Signs are that in Europe, the non-plastic pipe supplier is facing problems. In the words of
John W. Gardiner: “Neither its pipes not its theories will hold water.”
Source: RONDLEIDING