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from 1970 onwards. “The old cement
and steel pipes that were installed
do not have an economic lifespan of
longer than 50 years. The fact that
they are undoubtedly corroded by
now can be seen from thewater leaks
that are springing up everywhere and
disrupting water supplies. Litres of
treatedwater is lost each year around
the country as a result. If the local
municipalities were only to spend the
money allocated in their budgets to
upgrade and replace old and failing
water infrastructure, we would then
be able to save enough purifiedwater
to significantly reduce the impact and
long-term effects of the below aver-
age rainfall,” Venter says.
Local plastic pipe manufactur-
ers and installers are hoping that
the water scarcity concerns and the
threats of ‘water shedding’ would
be the conduit in which we would
see old pipelines being replaced by
plastic pipes made from PVC or high
density polyethylene. The benefits
of using plastic pipes as opposed to
other materials have beenwell docu-
mented and tested.
Apart from having a lifetime that
is more than double that of other
materials, plastic pipes are also
quicker and easier to install, have
lower failure rates, less
corrosion, fewer joint leak
prevention and lower in
price compared to the
other pipes.
Says Venter: “HDPE
and PVC pipes are light-
weight and easy to
handle, easy to join,
available in a range of
sizes and pressure rat-
ings and have low fric-
tional resistance, with
hydraulic properties
that remain virtually
unchanged over its
useful life, result-
ing in lower energy
use and pumping
costs”.
“The Water Re-
search Commis-
sion completed
a survey of 132
municipalities in
South Africa a
few months ago.
Findings revealed
that water lost through leakage, in-
correct metering and unauthorised
consumption, averaged 37% of our
country’s availablewater supply. This
amounts to a financial loss of around
Bathrooms, Kitchens & Plumbing
R7,2 billion per year.
South Africa simply cannot afford
to continue losing so much treated
water,” concluded Venter.
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