Contamination of water distribution systems

In settings with piped water distribution, where demand for water exceeds the supply, the water pressure inside the pipes can become very low and flow becomes very low or even stops. The response of some people who can afford it is to fit a water pump to the outlet, to draw the water out. This further exacerbates the problem of low pressure in the pipes.

The low pressure means that groundwater is drawn into the pipes through leaks in the pipes. It is very common for a significant amount of a city's water supply to be lost to leaks (see non-revenue water on Wikipedia); however when the leaks flow in the other direction, it creates a serious water quality problem. the dropping below the pressure of the groundwater.[1]

It is claimed that HDPEW pipe greatly reduces water loss and contamination.[2]

Notes and references

  1. Chriswaterguy has added this information based on his research in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, in 1996. See also:
  2. Hdpe Potable Water Pipe Oxford Plastics Inc (commercial site).

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