Throughout America, you can find running water just about everywhere – thanks to significant time and investment in innovative infrastructure. What you might not think about though is the pipes that are transporting it across the U.S. In the early 1820’s it was steel pipes, with a longevity of around 85 years. Unfortunately, the steel pipes were prone to corrosion which cut the lifespan in half.
After steel pipes, there were Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipes (PCCP) with a longevity between 20 and 40 years. Rather than corrosion, PCCP pipes were prone to complete premature failure. A decade later, Ductile Iron Pipes (DIP) were introduced with a longevity of 55 years. Like the steel pipes, DIPs were also susceptible to corrosion.
In all 3 types, there are factors which can consistently and drastically cut down the lifespan of pipes. This usually led to the U.S. water systems being 75 years into infrastructure with a lifespan of 50 years. At present, the current pace is 0.5% of water pipes replaced annually, or a 200 year cycle for a full replacement.
Fortunately, Hobas Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer Mortar (FRPM) pipes solve both problems. Not only does it have a lifespan of over 150 years and is not susceptible to corrosion, but it can be easily and seamlessly integrated into existing water mains. In order to prevent maintenance, water waste, and infrastructural collapse, implementing FRPM pipes are essential for the future of U.S. water mains.
