Our site uses cookies necessary for its proper functioning. To improve your experience, other cookies may be used: you can choose to disable them. This can be changed at any time via the Cookies link at the bottom of the page.


PE technical guidance
HDPE Pipe technical guidance (High quality Polyethylene Pipes)
 

What is the typical expected frequency of leaks in a PE pipe network?

Quick access

The frequency of leaks in PE pipe depends upon a number of factors: above or below ground installation; direct burial or sliplined; location of other utility plant and pipework, etc. Studies of leakage in Belgium and the Netherlands show that PE has a frequency of leaks as follows:

  • In mains: 0.0156 leaks/km/year
  • In services 0.071 leaks/km/year

This is comparable with steel and significantly lower than the data for iron pipes. The leaks are seldom in the PE pipe itself unless there has been third party damage. They occur mostly at joints. PE pipe systems have been shown to have very low leakage rates and to contribute to significant reductions in non-revenue water.

NRW.pdf

References

"Ductile PVC Leads the Way", Professor Mannes Wolters, Gastec. International Gas Engineering and Management Journal, May 2001. Institute of Gas Engineers, London

Last update Wednesday 27 March 2024

Members of the Association

BOREALISBOROUGEFormosa Plastics CorporationHanwha TotalEnergiesINEOS O&PIRPCKorea Petrochemical IND. Co., LTD (KPIC)LyondellBasellORLEN UnipetrolPetroChina Dushanzi Petrochemical CompanyPRIME POLYMERSABICSCG Chemicals & Thai PolyethyleneSinopecTASNEE