Pressure Management With A Polymer Pressure Regulating Valve: A Cost-effective And Sustainable Solution In Fighting Global Non-revenue Water

Due to the globally aging water distribution infrastructure, non-revenue water (NRW) is a major issue for water utility companies worldwide. Retrofitting existing water networks with modern pressure management systems helps avoid leakages and lost water. We asked Olivier Narbey, Senior Business Development Manager Water Network Performance at GF Piping Systems, Switzerland, to explain.

NRW is the difference between the amount of water put into a distribution system and the amount of water billed to consumers^[1]. NRW is a global problem. Thirty-nine billion USD is the estimated yearly global cost of non-revenue water to utility companies^[2].[3] metric tons of CO2 annually, the equivalent to the annual C02 emissions of '14'000 US citizens^[4]. A big step towards a more sustainable world.

Olivier Narbey is an engineer at heart. He is very passionate about his profession, finding ways to better avoid non-revenue water and the loss of one of the world's most precious resources – drinking water. He genuinely believes that the introduction of pressure management into existing water networks will solve a significant percentage of the world's non-revenue water problem.

Olivier, is non-revenue water preventable?

ON: Yes! One big factor of accumulated non-revenue water worldwide is leakage in water networks. Leakage occurs, for example, due to the over-pressurized flow of water through the system. We must imagine that we have had the world's population increase rapidly, the water systems in many places are just not adapted to the masses of water flowing through them, needed by the people. So the pipes burst somewhere along the network. As a result, water leaks and is lost into the grounds.

Which approach do you propose to prevent water loss and NRW globally?

ON: The burst pipe networks need to be repaired, or even better; the bursts need preventing. Pressure management technologies are widely considered as one of the most effective methods to reduce non-revenue water. They reduce the flow rates of existing leaks and limit unnecessary mechanical stress on the infrastructure, resulting in lower burst rates and prolonged asset life. Water networks are repairable: up to 75% of pipe bursts can be avoided by decreasing excess pressure by just 25%².

Can pressure management be introduced into old and running water networks?

ON: We have developed a new pressure management system: Our NeoFlow PRV (pressure regulating valve) is the beginning. It helps to modernise old water networks. Imagine it as an anti-ageing cure for water networks. The NeoFlow PRV axial flow design makes it very versatile for installation in very challenging hydraulic conditions it is a major step towards leak-free distribution and the automation of a water network.

What is the challenge when installing pressure management into existing networks?

ON: Existing water networks often lack the space for retrofitting, causing high installation costs. For example, in a tight manhole, only one person fits through. For retrofitting a metal pressure regulating valve, more than one person is necessary, as the valve's weight is a big issue. NeoFlow PRV was hence developed to solve these problems.

The state-of-the-art technology polymer PRV is five times more compact than a standard metal PRV and up to nine times lighter, so it ensures safe and hassle-free installation even in the tightest of spaces. The installation process also becomes extremely cost-effective on a new built valve installation, compact pre-fabrication saving up to 40%.

How is a “plastic” product an improvement from a sustainability perspective, wouldn't installing a polymer PRV be a step backward?

ON: One would intuitively think that, but there is a big difference between disposable plastics usedin packaging and carefully engineered thermoplastics that allow decades of hassle-free operation and service to the public. The alternative PRVs to NeoFlow are metal products. But we all know that metal corrodes. Metal valves that are not maintained regularly will cease to function, and maintenance requires resources, expertise, and energy. NeoFlow has a longer operational lifetime and is practically maintenance-free.

Metal products are also heavier, so transport to the site consumes much more energy and generate more CO2 emissions. I should also add that our corporate, Georg Fischer, was ranked the 9th most sustainably managed company worldwide by the renowned Wall Street Journal just a few months ago. This is a clear recognition of our group effort to run a transparent business, respectful of the people and the environment.

About NeoFlow pressure regulating valve from GF Piping Systems

The NeoFlow pressure regulating valve (PRV), co-developed with OFUI, allows water utilities to easily implement pressure management technology and benefit from a renewed water network, a solution to avoid non-revenue water.  The compact polymer valve is nine times lighter in weight and uses 40% less installation time than a standard metal PRV. 

The axial flow technology makes NeoFlow more accurate in operation. The NeoFlow PRV with its pressure management technology is targeted towards existing and future water utility networks helping them reduce excess consumption, existing leakage and unnecessary mechanical stress. As a polymer PRV, NeoFlow offers numerous advantages over traditional metal valves, such as a long, stable, corrosion-free life and low maintenance requirements.

About GF Piping Systems   

GF Piping Systems is the leading flow solutions provider worldwide, who enables the safe and sustainable transport of fluids. The company specialises in plastic piping systems and system solutions plus services in all project phases. GF Piping Systems has its own sales companies in 31 countries, which means it is always by its customers' side and production sites in 36 locations in America, Europe, and Asia ensure sufficient availability and quick, reliable delivery. In 2020, GF Piping Systems generated sales of CHF 1'708 billion and employed 6'893 people as a division of Georg Fischer AG, which was founded in 1802, and is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.   
www.gfps.com

[1]The Challenge of Reducing Non-Revenue Water in Developing Countries–How the Private Sector Can Help : A Look at Performance-Based Service Contracting. Bill Kingdom/ Roland Liemberger/Philippe Marin, 2017.

[2] Quantifying the global non-revenue water problem. Roland Liemberger/Alan Wyatt, 2018.

[3] The Carbon Footprint of Water. Bevan Griffiths-Sattenspiel/Wendy Wilson

[4] Fossil CO2 and GHG emissions of all world countries, European Union, 2019.