Water and sewer rates are increasing across the
country.
With pipe representing 60%
of the cost of water and sewer projects, focusing on pipe
material selection is the first
step in helping to
reduce costs. Operations and maintenance costs,
environmental sustainability, longevity, health and safety as well as initial
cost are all equally
important considerations. Unfortunately, outdated
procurement practices often
prevent cost-effective and better performing materials
from being considered. This is why the City of Burton, MI, which previously used
only iron pipe in its water system, opened up its specifications to PVC.
Below are excerpts from an article that recently appeared in “The Burton
Review.”
“The City of Burton’s five-year project to replace its aging drinking water
system was recognized with the 2015 Innovation in Infrastructure and Technology
award from the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission. Burton Mayor
Paula Zelenko and Utilities Superintendent Dave Marshke were on hand to receive
the award. Marshke was appreciative for the recognition and the opportunity to
bring this topic to the forefront. He stressed the importance of projects like
this as clean, affordable water is a necessity for all communities.”
Longer Life Expectancy, Quality of Water Healthier Than Water Carried by
Ductile Iron
“The City is looking to the future using PVC water main pipe, which is
manufactured as a “green” product, requires less energy and fewer resources and
has a conservative life expectancy of at least 100 years. It is much lighter,
making it cheaper to install and maintain. Most importantly, because PVC pipe is
non-corrosive, the quality of the water delivered to the residents is healthier
than water carried by ductile iron.”
“Providing safe drinking water is a top priority for my administration,” Zelenko
said. “Residents and businesses should feel comfortable knowing they have access
to clean and safe drinking water every time they turn on the faucet.”
“Using the State of Michigan’s low-interest Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF),
the City has undertaken an ambitious project to replace its aging and rusty
1930s-era ductile iron water main infrastructure within the City’s Water Tower
district with safer, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly PVC
pipes.”
Fewer Interruptions in Service, Fire-Fighting Safety Improved, More
Sustainable
“The use of PVC will also allow the City to increase water pressure to the
residents by an average of 25 lbs., further improving quality of life and
increasing fire-fighting safety. The quality of the pipe and the expected
longevity will also result in fewer interruptions in service. Not only that,
but the use of PVC is saving the taxpayers of Burton $651,000.”
“PVC is clearly the better choice, for the positive impact it will have on the
environment and the residents of the City of Burton, as well as for the cost
savings it will bring,” Zelenko said. “The project, which began in June 2014
will, when completed in 2019, have replaced over 19 miles of corroded,
dilapidated cast iron pipe with high quality, healthy, low cost PVC pipe --
benefitting the residents of the City of Burton in many ways for decades to
come.”
Click here to read article.
Regards,
Bruce Hollands
Executive
Director | Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
2711 LBJ Freeway, Suite
1000 | Dallas, TX 75234
T. 972.243.3902 ext. 1019 | F.
972.243.3907
www.uni-bell.org
|