Water Utilities

Significant leakages occur due to corrosion and incrustation of the aging infrastructure systems, resulting in major water losses. Additionally, incrustations, increased by corrosion, lead to reduced flow and contamination of the drinking water. To ensure a sustainable future, it is crucial to renew these infrastructures, upgrade, and implement long-lasting solutions within our networks.

ELGEF Plus, a polyethylene solution, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and surpassing water transportation and distribution standards. This modular system ensures safe and efficient installations for your piping networks through electrofusion and butt fusion technologies. With its corrosion-free PE100 material, ELGEF Plus extends the network lifespan to at least 100 years while remaining maintenance-free and leak-resistant.

Notably, in water main rehabilitation, the system’s ability to use in trenchless technologies enhances future-proofing of water networks.

When a water leak occurs due to a crack, efficient repairs minimize disruptions for consumers and surroundings. Repairing and connecting existing water pipelines with old ones is challenging due to aged pipelines built in different materials over the years. An easy installation and reliable functionality are also key requirements for repairs because traditional methods like flanging, welding, and using thrust blocks are time-consuming. Furthermore, it is essential that repair products ex-stock at waterworks, contractors, or wholesalers are available.

We offer solutions for repairing, maintaining, and rehabilitating all types of pipes. MULTI/JOINT® 3000 Plus—designed for multi-functionality, flexibility, and wide tolerance—provides an ideal solution tailored to your needs, enhancing operational efficiency while reducing costs.

Our proven solutions cover bursts and leaks in common pipe materials, promoting cost efficiency and sustainable water management.

Protect your water network from excess pressure and reduce leakage rates. Pressure management is considered the single most essential and cost-effective leakage management activity. Most pipe bursts occur not only because of high pressure but rather due to ongoing pressure fluctuations that force the pipe to expand and contract.

With our NeoFlow solutions, we offer extremely accurate and stable pressure regulation under any flow conditions, which reduces necessary repair activities, increases asset lifetime, and prevents the number of leakages, and unplanned costs.

In addition to pressure management, our solutions feature durable, corrosion-resistant, modular polyethylene components that establish dependable connections for transport, distribution lines, and house connections. Furthermore, these solutions alleviate engineers from labor-intensive installations compared to metal alternatives, offering lightweight plastic options, minimal maintenance, and extended operational lifetimes.

We provide project support every step of the way, allowing owners and planners to concentrate on their daily business without interruption. The integrity of a piping system is essential for water utilities. Ultrasonic NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) provides testing options at the point of installation, while Pipe Condition Assessment can be employed during operation to acquire real data about the state of piping systems. Instructional courses can help you to teach essential knowledge for the welding of pipes and piping components, as well as an in-depth understanding of butt and electrofusion. We help prevent damage in your water utility networks with well-trained and qualified installers and provide you with on-site support. Focusing on your individual needs and application, our customizing teams forge tailored solutions, developing custom-made parts to complete systems or special solutions produced in small series, individual consulting, and off-site prefabrication.

Non-revenue water is the difference between the water entering a distribution system and the amount billed to water consumers. NRW is not the only actual loss of water, such as leakage or pipe bursts, but it also can impact all levels – from water abstraction to billing. Causes are as diverse as they are complicated to identify and measure, making NRW a major topic to ensure the future of resilient utilities.

Current data indicates that non-revenue water has a significant economic impact; on average, 33%¹ , or between 20 to 50% of water in distribution infrastructures, is lost due to leakages in the aging infrastructure at most utilities.

¹ Bill Kingdom, Roland Liemberger, Philippe Marin. (2006) “The Challenge of Reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in Developing Countries How the Private Sector Can Help: A Look at Performance-Based Service Contracting”

Trends in water utilities have historically been influenced by major global developments related to population, climate, and politics. Recently, several trends have emerged at the intersection of water utilities and technology. According to Idrica’s 2023 report², these trends focus on six key areas: responding to extreme events, enhancing infrastructure protection, promoting water reuse, improving operability and management, leveraging artificial intelligence, and adapting water planning to available resources. Additionally, Idrica’s 2024 report³ highlights significant changes in the water sector, including digital transformation and automation reshaping water treatment plants (Drinking Water Treatment Plants), enhanced water governance practices, deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for water resource monitoring, and innovations in energy optimization.

As a leading global water technology company, our goal is to solve critical water and infrastructure challenges through innovation. Helping communities globally, we optimize resource and water management, improve water security, and build a more sustainable world. We serve customer’s water needs from utilities to industrial, commercial, and other end-users of water. By developing highly engineered products and industry-leading technologies, we create solutions that span the water cycle. Our wide array of products and specialized solutions — the most comprehensive in the industry — enable our customers to address their water network performance challenges.

² Idrica. (2023) “Water Technology Trends 2023”

³ Idrica. (2024) “Water Technology Trends 2024”

When it comes to the transport of drinking water, high-quality material of components is key. Our focus on plastic solutions for drinking water comes with the benefits of plastics in comparison to alternative materials:

Plastic piping systems offer several advantages for drinking water applications compared to other materials. First, the plastic components (f.ex. HDPE) are highly resistant to corrosion. Unlike metal pipes (like iron or galvanized steel), plastics won’t rust or degrade over time. Second, their lightweight nature makes them easier to handle during installation, and they require fewer joints and fittings, reducing the risk of leaks. Third, plastic water line piping can bend without breaking, allowing for more flexible layouts, which is especially useful in retrofitting or tight spaces. Fourth, plastics do not react with water or alter its taste, ensuring that no harmful substances leach into the water supply pipes. Finally, plastic solutions are often more affordable than metal alternatives, and their longevity and low maintenance costs contribute to overall savings. With our diverse portfolio, we ensure compliance even with the most stringent regulations, contributing to the success of our customers’ projects. Our material experts, drawing on their extensive experience in the water utility market, can provide tailored support based on your specific needs and local regulations.

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To ensure safety, quality, and reliability in water piping systems worldwide, there are local, national, and international regulations. These can be categorized in:

Health and Safety

• World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality (GDWQ): Many countries rely on the WHO GDWQ when establishing national drinking-water quality regulations and standards. These guidelines offer essential recommendations to ensure safe drinking water.
• Local authorities often set specific standards based on regional needs and water sources. Compliance with these regulations ensures that water is free from harmful substances, minimizing health risks for consumers.

Quality Assurance

• ASME, ANSI, ASTM, ISO, DIN, and Other Standards: These organizations establish codes and standards for piping materials, design, installation, and maintenance. Adhering to these standards ensures consistent quality across water systems.
• Material Selection: Regulations guide the choice of materials (such as water line pipes, water line fittings, and coatings) to prevent corrosion, leaks, and contamination. Proper material selection directly impacts water quality and system longevity.

Reliability and Infrastructure Resilience:

• Design and Construction Standards: Regulations define how piping systems should be designed, installed, and maintained. Proper design ensures efficient water flow, minimizes leaks, and prevents failures.
• Inspections and Maintenance: Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to identify issues early, prevent leaks, and extend the lifespan of water infrastructure. Regulations mandate these practices to ensure reliable water utility service.

Global Consistency:

• International Harmonization: International standards (such as ISO) promote consistency in water infrastructure worldwide. When different countries follow similar guidelines, it facilitates cross-border cooperation, trade, and infrastructure development.

Overall, the standards and regulations provide a framework for efficient, safe, and sustainable water services, benefiting communities and the environment.

Controlling water flow in water pipes involves various methods and technologies. Real-time monitoring systems track water flow, water pressure, and water quality within the network. Pressure Regulating Valves manage pressure and flow, reducing water loss and energy consumption. Additionally, visualizing water flow aids maintenance and emergency response teams. The choice of method depends on the specific requirements of your water utility system.