Environmental influences in pipe corrosion (EPiC)
Lead Research Organisation:
British Geological Survey
Department Name: Environmental Modelling
Abstract
Yorkshire Water (YW), Scottish Water and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (WW) have extensive networks of clean/waste water pipes made of a variety of materials (ferrous, plastics). It is recognized that pipe failure occurs through a complex set of interactions including corrosion, factors such as geohazards (ground movements), environmental factors (e.g. slope) and other external factors (e.g. traffic vibration, surge demand). When these failures occur it results in loss of supply to properties, causes public highway closures and potentially long-term inconvenience to business and the general public. Changing ground moisture and thermal profiles caused by environmental change may enhance the probability of drought or flooding. In particular, this may increase the impact of ground conditions on the pipe network, exacerbating future failures (causing asset loss, exfiltration undermining of infrastructure and contamination). Increased leakages, particularly in drought years are a potential major concern to the regulator, OFWAT. This project aims to help water companies manage the repair and maintenance of their pipe networks through the development of a spatial model relating pipe failure data to a range of environmental, geohazard and external factors. The model will provide evidence about the primary factors in pipe failure which water companies can use to improve pipe network infrastructure management and resilience within a changing climate.
These outputs can be used by water company engineers (i) to provide information regarding pipe failure that can be used to improve design standards for different pipe materials (e.g. plastic, ferrous, concrete) and installation, (ii) to be used as a screening tool to identify areas where additional factors not related to model covariates are causing high incidences of pipe failure and (iii) to identify areas where additional engineering solutions can be used to build climate resilience into the network, particularly in relation to those geo-hazards most influenced by climate (e.g. shrink-swell clays). The proposed work includes a scoping study and exemplar of how those outputs can be delivered to the for water companies. Advice on functionality and content will be sought from YW and WW. Options include the possible integration of outputs into existing company systems or a stand-alone web based system. The output data could be presented as maps, GIS layers or digital services and will be based on significant model covariates presented as individual factors (GIS layers) or combined maps and hazard information. If a web based system is considered preferable we will provide an exemplar service to the water companies demonstrating how their data may be accessed either on a public good basis (via a public portal such as UKSO.org) or via a secure service to commercial users (secure web map services).
Keywords: pipe network, water leakage, geo-hazards, spatial model,
These outputs can be used by water company engineers (i) to provide information regarding pipe failure that can be used to improve design standards for different pipe materials (e.g. plastic, ferrous, concrete) and installation, (ii) to be used as a screening tool to identify areas where additional factors not related to model covariates are causing high incidences of pipe failure and (iii) to identify areas where additional engineering solutions can be used to build climate resilience into the network, particularly in relation to those geo-hazards most influenced by climate (e.g. shrink-swell clays). The proposed work includes a scoping study and exemplar of how those outputs can be delivered to the for water companies. Advice on functionality and content will be sought from YW and WW. Options include the possible integration of outputs into existing company systems or a stand-alone web based system. The output data could be presented as maps, GIS layers or digital services and will be based on significant model covariates presented as individual factors (GIS layers) or combined maps and hazard information. If a web based system is considered preferable we will provide an exemplar service to the water companies demonstrating how their data may be accessed either on a public good basis (via a public portal such as UKSO.org) or via a secure service to commercial users (secure web map services).
Keywords: pipe network, water leakage, geo-hazards, spatial model,
Planned Impact
The impacts of the project outputs will be determined by (i) increased understanding of the factors involved in pipe network failures, the (ii) engineering solutions adopted by the water companies as a result of this project's outcomes and (iii) the subsequent beneficial changes to the infrastructure investment planning.
Measures of success of this project initially will be its ability to inform water companies planning policy and 5 yearly investment plans through:
a. Indication from WW and YW that project results will be incorporated into planning activities (via personal communication)
b. The inclusion of model outputs in YW and WW infrastructure investment strategy
c. Submissions to OFWAT developing awareness of the project, measurable through citations in YW, SW and WW annual reports, conference talks and discussions with other water companies.
Other impacts, over the longer term include:
a. The model methodology creating sufficient interest that there is uptake by other water companies and underground asset holders (e.g. gas)
b. Funding from industry for further development
c. The development of a new UK- wide pipe failure product.
d. Incorporation of model results into existing systems/working practices
For this project proposal we have linked up with three partners that have a genuine interest in our approach to examining the causes of pipe failure within their networks. We have previously worked with YW on a pilot study and they have been very enthusiastic to be involved the next stage of our work. Welsh Water with whom BGS have had previous partnerships with, particularly through our work on sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) were keen to take up our offer of involvement, whilst SW approached us having heard about the project via the infrastructure initiative. We therefore have pre-endorsement from the industry and a strong basis for communicating to other water companies.
Measures of success of this project initially will be its ability to inform water companies planning policy and 5 yearly investment plans through:
a. Indication from WW and YW that project results will be incorporated into planning activities (via personal communication)
b. The inclusion of model outputs in YW and WW infrastructure investment strategy
c. Submissions to OFWAT developing awareness of the project, measurable through citations in YW, SW and WW annual reports, conference talks and discussions with other water companies.
Other impacts, over the longer term include:
a. The model methodology creating sufficient interest that there is uptake by other water companies and underground asset holders (e.g. gas)
b. Funding from industry for further development
c. The development of a new UK- wide pipe failure product.
d. Incorporation of model results into existing systems/working practices
For this project proposal we have linked up with three partners that have a genuine interest in our approach to examining the causes of pipe failure within their networks. We have previously worked with YW on a pilot study and they have been very enthusiastic to be involved the next stage of our work. Welsh Water with whom BGS have had previous partnerships with, particularly through our work on sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) were keen to take up our offer of involvement, whilst SW approached us having heard about the project via the infrastructure initiative. We therefore have pre-endorsement from the industry and a strong basis for communicating to other water companies.
Description | The work examined whether models developed using environmental, topographical and geohazard information could complement existing management tools, and increase the spatial understanding of how pipe networks of different materials interact with their broader environment. The aim being that this may be the first step in identifying ways in which greater resilience could be built into pipe networks to stop pipe failures and water leakage. Information could help water companies better manage water supplies and meet government targets. Modelling approaches were used based on an 'Expert Elicitation' process to provide an opportunity for Yorkshire Water employees to provide an insight into the reasons why they felt important for pipe failure. Models were buoilt on this information and then a range of other envioronmental factors. Broad groups of pipe materials were examined, these being the cast iron and plastic pipe networks for clean water and the concrete and clay networks for waste water. Overall, the modelling exercise demonstrated that for the YW region, covariates such as roads, water source, and number of dwellings (as a likely proxy for pressure changes and use) were of greater influence on the pipe network than many geohazard factors. This may be due to the YW region being fairly benign to typical factors that are recognised as damaging pipe networks such as shrink swell clays and compressible ground. In addition, outputs showed that pipe networks associated over areas of coal measure geology and some areas of lacustrine clay appeared to have greater than expected pipe failures, which the covariates used in the model could not explain, but may be linked to subsidence. Results were presented as heat maps, by combining the outputs from each 100 x 100 m cell cell using the model coefficients from the final sequential model for each pipe network. This allowed a spatial assessment of the overall environmental, geological and topographical 'hostility' towards the pipe network. In addition, individual heat maps for each significant (P<0.05) covariate were created, placed on a single scale so that the intensity of each environmental, topographical and geohazard covariate could be compared across the YW region. |
Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this research should provide an indication of environments where higher than expected pipe failures have occurred and where better design could help. For example roads and junctions, with high traffic usage were identified as vulnerable. Other uitility companies have used the modelling approach taken here in EI work won by British Geological Survey - approximately £78k of a £130k commissioned research project with UKPN (Ofgem funding) used Poisson point process techniques (established for YW) to determine if similar mechanisms are influencing failures in buried cables in eastern and south eastern England. This work is on-going. |
Sectors | Construction Energy Transport |
Description | We have discussed results of our research in formal meetings with Scottish Water and Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) and delivered a webinair organised by CIRIA |
First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Environmental Factors influencing pipe failures |
Organisation | Scottish Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Modelling Yorkshire Water data to examine geological and environmental factors that may contribute to pipe failures |
Collaborator Contribution | Yorkshire Water provided 10 years of pipe failure data, along with time for staff to attend Expert Elicitation sessions and a meeting where we disseminated the results of the resaerch and discussed future work possibilities and how we could improve the model. Scottish Water and Dwr Cymru providede staff for discussion meetings based around the presentation of results of the project |
Impact | Report on NERC Grants NE/M008339/1: Modelling the geological factors in pipe failure for better infrastructure management and NE/NO13026/1 Environmental factors influencing pipe failures. Tye, A.M., Kirkwood, C., Dearden, R., Rawlins, B.G., Lark, R.M., Lawley, R.L., Entwistle, D. Mee, K. BGS Open Report |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Environmental Factors influencing pipe failures |
Organisation | Welsh Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Modelling Yorkshire Water data to examine geological and environmental factors that may contribute to pipe failures |
Collaborator Contribution | Yorkshire Water provided 10 years of pipe failure data, along with time for staff to attend Expert Elicitation sessions and a meeting where we disseminated the results of the resaerch and discussed future work possibilities and how we could improve the model. Scottish Water and Dwr Cymru providede staff for discussion meetings based around the presentation of results of the project |
Impact | Report on NERC Grants NE/M008339/1: Modelling the geological factors in pipe failure for better infrastructure management and NE/NO13026/1 Environmental factors influencing pipe failures. Tye, A.M., Kirkwood, C., Dearden, R., Rawlins, B.G., Lark, R.M., Lawley, R.L., Entwistle, D. Mee, K. BGS Open Report |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Environmental Factors influencing pipe failures |
Organisation | Yorkshire Water |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Modelling Yorkshire Water data to examine geological and environmental factors that may contribute to pipe failures |
Collaborator Contribution | Yorkshire Water provided 10 years of pipe failure data, along with time for staff to attend Expert Elicitation sessions and a meeting where we disseminated the results of the resaerch and discussed future work possibilities and how we could improve the model. Scottish Water and Dwr Cymru providede staff for discussion meetings based around the presentation of results of the project |
Impact | Report on NERC Grants NE/M008339/1: Modelling the geological factors in pipe failure for better infrastructure management and NE/NO13026/1 Environmental factors influencing pipe failures. Tye, A.M., Kirkwood, C., Dearden, R., Rawlins, B.G., Lark, R.M., Lawley, R.L., Entwistle, D. Mee, K. BGS Open Report |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Research Dissemination session with Scottish Water |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Meeting to discuss research results with Scottish water |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Research meeting with Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Dissemintaion of results of YW project and discussion of what they may maen for Welsh Water and what more we could do |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Research meetings with YW |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | 1. Expert eleicitation session with Yorkshire Water to find out key factors in pipe failure in YW region 2. Research meeting to explain results of research with Yorkshire Water |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Webinar on research results organised by CIRIA (28-11-16) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Webinair given on research findings to industry/academia organised by CIRIA |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |