Thames Water gives REHAU polymer the approval

25 Mar 2020

Following the introduction of new sewerage adoption arrangements coming into effect on 1 April 2020, Thames Water has approved REHAU’s polypropylene (PP) pipe for use in new residential development sewer systems across its entire region.

Expanding on documentation released in October last year by Water UK, the April legislation outlines standards and best practice for sustainable sewer systems, and now includes regulations for polymer pipework.

Approval from Thames Water to implement PP pipework alternatives has enabled developers in the region to mitigate issues such as cracks and collapsing, root ingress, blockages and seal failure, while complying with the new sewerage regulations.

These problems can have a detrimental effect on performance and can result in catastrophic failure, significantly impacting residential areas by incurring cost and disruption from immediate emergency repair works.

But with a higher impact resistance than clay and a service life of 100 years, sustainable polymer solutions that comply with regulations, such as REHAU’s PP pipe, will help to avoid such issues affecting sewer networks across the country long into the future.

The rising demand for more residential properties to be available and need for minimal disruption from construction works has meant the pressure on developers and utilities companies to complete compliant works to tight deadlines is increasing.

As PP piping is up to 90% lighter and 30% faster to install than its concrete equivalent, it can be carried by two people without the need for heavy plant to be used.

Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, commented: “Demand on our sewer systems is set to grow exponentially as the UK’s housing stock increases, so naturally the infrastructure needs to be able to keep up.

“Making the switch to polymer pipework will help utilities companies like Thames Water meet this increasing demand, due to their high performance, ease-of-installation and reasonable cost.”

“The certified 100-year service life of our PP pipework from independent inspection body TÜV Rheinland, and its adherence to EN Standard 1852, also means this high performance can benefit developments for many years while saving utilities companies and developers costs incurred through future repair and replacement work.”

Contact:

REHAU
Hill Court,
Walford,
Ross on Wye,
Herefordshire,
HR9 5QN

Email address: enquiries@rehau.com
Tel: 01989 72600

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