Water Quality

Polyethylene pipeline systems for drinking water supply  Polyethylene pipeline systems have been used by our customers for drinking water supply since their introduction in the 1950s. The plastics industry has taken great responsibility in ensuring that the products used do not adversely affect water quality. The range of tests undertaken on PE pipes normally covers taste, odour, appearance of water, and tests for growth of aquatic micro-organisms. This is a more extensive range of tests than...

In contaminated soils no pipe system can be considered completely resistant to permeation and the appropriate pipe material selection criteria should be used. Research undertaken in the USA has demonstrated that precautions are needed in the design of all pipe systems buried in heavily contaminated soils to prevent permeation of substances into drinking water. Many water companies have their own systems for classifying soils and Codes of Practice covering what types of pipe system may be...

Specific compounds of PE100 and PE100-RC have been formulated for use in potable water applications. Extensive testing has been carried out by the pipe manufacturers and independent test laboratories to ensure that there is no risk to public health. PE100 and PE100-RC are approved universally by national  organisations for potable water use.

Microbiological or microbial growth (biofilm) on the surface of components in a water supply system is likely to occur irrespective of the material used. Treatment of water with chlorine or other substances may contribute to a significant decrease. The conditions or mechanism for formation of this biofilm are not fully understood, nor why some materials appear to support greater levels of growth. However it is generally accepted that this is unrelated to water quality at the tap. Studies...