Droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events are increasingly presenting us with new challenges. egeNews reported in issue 11/2022. The safe transport of drinking water and wastewater is also becoming more complex and prone to disruption. With the intelligent pipe systems SLA® Barrier Pipe, SLM® DCS, and 3L Leak Control, egeplast offers reliable solutions.
Drought periods and flood events demand secure drinking water pipe systems
Longer dry periods exacerbate the already tense situation of water availability. According to estimates by the International Water Association (IWA), 346 million m³ of drinking water are lost worldwide every day. Water is our most important resource, and its significance will continue to grow in the future. It is therefore all the more crucial to protect this resource – including with secure drinking water pipelines.
Flood events also pose extreme challenges for underground infrastructures. This year alone, Germany has already experienced three so-called “century floods.” Consequential effects such as landslides and soil contamination significantly stress pipeline networks and increase the risk of leaks and structural damage, which in turn can jeopardize water quality. These extreme conditions require robust and reliable systems that can withstand the increased stresses.
An investment in permeation-resistant and/or monitored pipe systems is an investment in safety, sustainability, and environmental protection. Due to their extreme durability and reliability, egeplast pipe systems contribute to the long-term preservation of infrastructure value. This enables municipalities and cities to ensure that their water and supply networks function reliably even under extreme conditions.
Installation of the drinking water network connection
In Roth, Franconia, the municipal utilities began installing an approximately 1,000 m long new drinking water network connection in the fall of 2024 as part of a comprehensive construction project. This leads from the waterworks to the elevated reservoir I – Lot 2 in Roth. The aim of the new drinking water network connection is the long-term independent supply of safe drinking water.
A rather complex construction project, as the topsoil profile varies, and the subsoil is partly gravelly, but also to a large extent very rocky. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions with low temperatures, unusually frequent and heavy precipitation, and high humidity created additional challenges. All the more important were professional work preparation, structured coordination of the measure, and not least, sufficient experience of all involved parties. The client is Stadtwerke Roth, which commissioned IB ITEC Ingenieure Kellermann GmbH from Nuremberg as the planning office. egeplast SLM® 3.0 pipes were installed, supplied by the dealer Muffenrohr Neutraubling and laid by the construction company PRO BAU Ingenieur- und Rohrleitungsbau GmbH from Passau.
