Why our water needs call for polyethylene (PE) solutions

Providing access to fresh water continues to be a key societal challenge that necessitates global action. More than one billion people are in need of fresh water and 2 billion people still lack proper sanitation. Over the next 20 years, the average per capita supply of water worldwide is expected to drop by one third.

Admittedly, water is far too precious of a resource to waste. This imposes a great responsibility on public administrations to carefully evaluate our current distribution systems and ensure that the pipe systems which transport our water are reliable and safe. In many countries, existing water distribution systems are still leaking water at unsustainable rates. Corrosion of old generation materials is resulting in fracture and leakages which lead to contamination and waste.

Our duty to conserve water resources and maximize its distribution draws attention to our need to invest in materials that are capable of reliably responding to our water and sanitation needs.

Polyethylene as a material addresses societal and industrial concerns 

It is widely recognised that polyethylene (PE) pipes have the ability to live up to this challenge, both for new systems in developing countries and for renovation of existing systems in the developed world.

With a successful track record of more than 40 years, PE is now the preferred material for drinking water distribution in Europe, offering highest durability, long service life at low maintenance costs. PE pipes are corrosion-free, with the lowest rate of water leakage of any material, and their leak-tight fusion welded joints can even resist earth movement due to earthquakes, making it the material of choice for water pipes, irregardless of the diameter required.

Even for large diameter mains, calculations based on a Whole Life Costing model, taking into account all costs elements plus long-term service reliability and maintenance costs demonstrates that PE outperforms alternative materials, delivering on performance and cost-effectiveness in the long term.

Ultimately, cost is not the overriding factor. As water becomes scarcer, the durability of the water mains will be the governing factor.

With the BorSafe™ product range, Borealis is committed to bring unique and innovative high quality solutions to the drinking water industry, contributing to the improvement of the quality and reliability of our water distribution systems .