The water pipe has been a staple of human civilization for thousands of years. Humans first designed and implemented clay water pipes in the Indus River Valley between 4,000 and 3,000 BCE. Since then, the water pipe has seen many different iterations. In Ancient Crete / Minoa, wood pipes were used between 3,000 and 2,150 BCE. Copper pipes were invented in Egypt between 2,500 and 2,150 BCE. The first true aqueducts arose in Ancient Greece between 538 and 522 BCE, and Ancient Rome further innovated aqueducts between 312 and 226 CE.
The History of the Water Pipe Innovation
It has a long past and is full of progress, bringing us to the current day. In the United States, there are over 2.2 million miles of water pipe. This is enough to make 4.5 round trips to the moon.
However, despite an impressive network of pipes, problems remain. Approximately every two minutes, there is a water main break in the United States, which reveals a larger problem with water infrastructure. Action needs to be taken to reduce the number of pipe failures, meaning that the United States is due for an overhaul of its infrastructure.
There are already plans in place to make improvements to water pipe networks. In fact, in 2024, US communities plan to invest close to $8.5 billion in building, replacing, and rehabilitating drinking water pipe networks.
The United States has its own history of water pipe innovations that led to today’s infrastructure. In 1820, the United States began using steel pipes. While steel pipes have a longevity of 85 years on paper, their actual life span is often much shorter due to corrosion. Alternatives to the steel pipe became necessary due to its cost, poor thermal conductivity, difficult repairs and replacements, and corrosion issues.
The next piping option did not arrive for another hundred years. In 1942, the prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) was introduced. These pipes have a longevity of 50 to 100 years. Over years, they have become more sustainable. In fact, the carbon dioxide emissions of PCCPs have been reduced by 75% on the fabrication phase, 7% on the operation phase, and 43% on the disposal phase.
However, PCCPs also have their own challenges. They have a high rate of premature failure, which usually happens due to a sudden rupture of the pipe wall. To fix this solution, engineers designed a new type of pipe: the ductile iron pipe, or DIP.
DIPs were invented in 1955 and have a lifespan of 55 years. While they help with the premature failure problem of PCCPs, DIPs have a large environmental impact, emitting 128 kg of carbon dioxide gas from every 1 meter of 200 mm DIP. DIPs also run into corrosion problems due to thinner wall thickness. Corrosion can reduce a pipe’s life span to just 11 to 14 years, making it a worrying problem. It can also cause developmental delays in infants, kidney, liver, and bone damage in adults, and a 42% reduction in plant growth due to materials leaching into water supplies.
Latest Innovations
With these drawbacks in mind, it is clear that more innovation is needed. Luckily, there are other options for water piping systems. A promising alternative is Hobas fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (FRPM). This material was invented in 1960 and has a longevity of over 150 years. It can be used to repair old pipes or build new ones, making it versatile. When added to existing pipes, it can increase the overall life span significantly. FRPM is also a good option because it has the lowest carbon footprint of any other water piping system.
Communities are not alone in their efforts to improve their infrastructure. As of February 20, 2024, the Federal Government pledged $5.8 billion in funding for renovating municipal water infrastructure.
Continuing to improve water pipe infrastructure is vital. For one, it can reduce water waste. Currently, the United States loses 6 billion gallons of treated water per day. Improving water pipes can reduce this number. Additionally, of the US’s 2.2 million miles of drinking water pipe, only 0.5% of the pipes are replaced each year. This means that the replacement cycle is 200 years–much longer than the life span of the pipes.
Summing up
Innovative alternatives like FRPM are an important next step in improving water infrastructure. The water pipe has evolved drastically over its storied life and will continue to evolve and improve, leading to more efficient and effective infrastructure.
