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A £ 90,000 per year water leak caused by a corroded cast iron water pipe.

Corroded water pipe causes water leak

 Author: Graham Mann, Water Audit Expert.

Photo 1: Leaking flange on pipe.

Over time old cast iron water supply pipes become severely corroded and being below ground and out of sight out of mind they can be leaking water for years until eventually the pipe literally bursts or indeed just continues to leak.

In this instance upon completion of a full site water audit it was determined a substantial water leak was present on the cast iron water supply pipe, the water loss was a staggering 5,000 litres per hour which equates to 5 cubic metres per hour with an annual leak rate of 43,800 cubic metres at a cost of £ 90,000 for water and waste water charges.

The amount of water leaking from the flanges (photo 1)would be enough to fill 1,460 petrol tankers as each tankers holds approx. 30 cubic metres.

The section of pipe work was disconnected as it was no longer required and a repair clamp was inserted, as the bolts which are visible on the clamp are tightened the clamp firmly grips both sections of the pipe giving an effective long lasting mechanical repair.

Photo 2: Mechanical repair clamp.