[미국] WSSC, ZINC-COATED PIPE로 지하인프라 업그레이드

인프라 투자는 특히 지연되고 있다. 상수도관, 도로, 다리 등 많은 교체가 필요하다. 하룻밤 사이에 투자가 이루어질 수 없지만, 워싱턴교외위생위원회(Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, WSSC)는 상수도관 교체에 혁신적인 변화를 만들고 있다.

아연이 도금된 연성 주철관과 V-Bio 강화 폴리에틸렌 용기는 이제 표준 재료이다. 전통적인 연성 주철은 대략 50~75년 동안 지속된다. 그것이 파손되거나 마모되면 지자체는 부품을 교체하기 위해 도로를 파 낼 것이다. 심지어 오래된 상수도관의 1~2마일일지라도. 비용이 들고 불편하다. WSSC는 아연이 도금된 V-Bio 강화 연성 주철관으로 교체함으로써 100년 이상 지속될 것으로 기대한다.    

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WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION UPGRADES UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE WITH ZINC-COATED PIPE

Hindsight is 20/20, especially when it comes to infrastructure investment. Water mains, roads, bridges -- many need replacing. While the investment can’t be made overnight, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commision (WSSC) is making an innovative change to water main replacement, greatly benefitting generations to come.

Zinc-coated ductile iron pipe and V-Bio® Enhanced Polyethylene Encasement are now standard materials. Traditional ductile iron pipe lasts about 50-75 years. When it breaks or wears out, municipalities will dig up roads to replace a section -- sometimes even a mile or two -- of old water main. That costs money and it’s an inconvenience. By switching to zinc-coated, V-Bio® encased ductile iron pipe, WSSC expects to put that pipe in the ground and not come back to replace it for 100 years or more.

The protective zinc coating on the ductile iron pipe provides active corrosion control. The V-Bio® encasement is an additional level of active protection that works in concert with the zinc coating. It targets anaerobic bacteria activity and inhibits the formation of corrosion cells under the wrap.

"Our engineers are always researching, studying and collaborating to come up with sustainable, smart and financially responsible solutions for our customers," said Carla A. Reid, WSSC General Manager/CEO. "The switch to zinc-coated ductile iron pipe means the replacement cost for future generations will be greatly reduced."

"Zinc-coatings have been successfully used in Europe for decades and now WSSC is the first water utility in the country to make zinc-coated pipe with V-Bio® film standard materials," said Allen H. Cox, P.E. Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association Regional Director. "This combination highlights the Commission’s commitment to employing innovative solutions to benefit its customers."

KC Water in Kansas City, Missouri is believed to be the first water utility in the United States to use zinc-coated ductile iron as a standard material for water main replacement. WSSC is believed to be the first to use the combination of zinc-coated ductile iron pipe and V-Bio® Enhanced Polyethylene Encasement.

WSSC’s Infrastructure Snapshot
Total Miles of Water Mains: 5,794 miles of water mains
Distribution System - 4,947 miles (less than 16-inch diameter pipe)
Transmission System - 847 miles (16-inch and greater diameter pipe)

Water Main Replacement
55 miles per year (under 16 inches)
6 miles per year (16 inches and greater)

Age of Water Mains (in years)
Over 50:   2,229 miles (38 percent)
25 ? 50:    2,153 miles (37 percent)
10 ? 25:       941 miles (16 percent)
Under 10:    462 miles (8 percent)
Unknown:        9 miles

Water Main Replacement Cost : $1.6 million/mile (small diameter - under 16 inches)

[출처 = Water World / 2016년 11월 1일]