Pioneering research and skills
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Pipe dreams With buried water pipes costing millions to replace being able to maintain them is vital. An EPSRC-sponsored research team at the University of Sheffield have been working with water companies to find ways to maximise performance of the UK water system that includes pipes over 100 years old. Led by Professor Joby Boxall the team built on and interacted with an industry sponsored research theme called PODDS also carried out at Sheffield, Professor Boxall said “With drinking water discoloration being the single biggest cause of customer contacts, it is vitally important that potential problems are prevented to safeguard water quality delivered to the public.” Using a purpose built laboratory based temperature control experimental pipe facility – 80mm in diameter and over 600 metres in length - microscopic images and DNA based techniques the team examined the critical pipe water interface exploring and proving the importance of controlling factors. They found that by manipulating the system and rerouting flows the risk of a build-up of material could be reduced and therefore managed, resulting in a higher quality of drinking water without the need for renewing pipes or expensive and disruptive invasive cleaning. Collaborating water companies are fundamentally changing their approaches and are already reporting improvements in levels of service and millions of pounds savings. Further information: www.PODDS.co.uk www.shef.ac.uk/pipedreams
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