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New information on the performance of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water pipes and gaskets in hydrocarbon contaminated soils is urgently needed to help Utilities determine when the integrity of these assets may be compromised.

The UK government wants to see 30% of future building projects on brownfield sites - but such sites frequently bring exposure to contaminates. There is a growing need for better information on the long-term behaviour of PE and PVC pipes when exposed to such contaminates.

BHR is looking to establish a working group of the major stakeholders to refine and co-ordinate the needs of both the pipe manufacturers, developers, planning authorities and the water companies who are normally the final owner of the asset.

Polymers under test on BHR's permeation rig.

The outputs from the working group will be used to shape a research and development project aimed at providing water companies with much needed information and design advice on the condition of their existing pipeline assets.

An earlier scoping study by BHR examined the physico-chemical environmental conditions and pipe materials. It determined that the critical factors that may lead to loss of pipe integrity or permeation of hydrocarbon into the drinking water supply can be predicted. It identified the key features of any work programme as:

• Build on existing data, prediction models and analytical tools, to provide a focussed technical programme of work at good value-for-money.
• A collaborative approach to the work involving several partners.
• Partners to bring qualifications and complementary skills encompassing hydrocarbon/other contaminate permeation testing and modelling in soils and pipes, and application of research results to industrial processes.
• Effective project management well versed in managing large, multi-client, complex technical research projects.
• Key deliverable to be Guidelines for Utilities covering:
  • Data for interpolation for their particular operations
  • Best Practice advice on assessing the condition of assets
  • Best Practice on mitigation against hydrocarbon permeation problems.

The Guidelines could, for example classify the permeation and failure risks of PE/PVC materials under different soil and hydrocarbon conditions, and so allow pipeliners to assess the longevity and performance of their pipe assets. The Guidelines could also provide Best Practice advice on the pro-active measures Utilities should take to confirm the condition of their pipes and gaskets and ways to mitigate against any consequential pipe failure or water quality problem.

The working group will be expected to advise on the scope and content of any future work programme. Contact us if you would like to join, or to discuss your problems in this field.