Wavin is ‘claying’ the foundations for effective water management. Here, it explains how to choose the right products for effective foul water management
Housebuilding is a key priority for the new government, with plans to deliver 1.5 million additional homes in the next five years. These ambitious targets place the sector at the forefront of national policy, but meeting it requires significant changes, especially in planning procedures and product specification.
In an effort to protect the green belt, brownfield sites are set to play a crucial role in meeting housing demand. While a positive step toward preserving the UK’s natural landscapes, building on these previously used sites presents unique challenges, particularly for below-ground infrastructure. Stuart Steel, Product Manager for Clay at Wavin UK, delves into why choosing the right materials, such as clay, can play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and providing durable, efficient foul water systems.
The brownfield challenge
As most construction professionals and housebuilders know, building on brownfield land can be precarious, especially when it comes to below-ground water management. Categorised as an area of land previously used in either an industrial, military or commercial capacity, brownfield sites are often not ready for residential use or development without significant preparation.
Due to their past use, developments on these sites can be hindered by dangerous, derelict structures. This creates headaches for housebuilders, particularly when these obstructions are underground – typically disused pipes or water systems which are no longer suitable for use. As a result, developers often face delays and challenges when installing updated water management systems that can directly benefit future end-users of a given site.
Developers are also faced with contamination, with a risk of residual chemicals or hazardous waste in the soil of previous industrial sites. These substances present a direct danger to those working on developments and future end-users of the site, meaning that the effective management of water is particularly crucial within this environment.
Clay and all its natural potential
The complexities of brownfield sites mean that foul water systems installed must not only be efficient, but resilient enough to deal with the often aggressive environment below ground. The material chosen for these systems must therefore guarantee long-term reliability and safety, and clay emerges as a strong contender.
Providing durability and longevity, clay pipes, like Wavin’s Hepworth range, have a lifetime expectancy of more than 100 years – offering an unparalleled lifespan. The material’s natural strength and resistance to ground movement or external pressures also make it an ideal choice for challenging sites.
Additionally, clay’s inert nature means it does not react with the chemicals and contaminants often found in brownfield sites. This makes it a safer choice for public sector developments, such as hospitals and leisure facilities, where harsh chemicals are regularly used for cleaning and sterilisation. Clay’s natural resistance and durability make the material an attractive option to residential and public sector developments by ensuring systems remain functional for decades – reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements.
The bigger picture
In the long-term, when it comes to the maintenance of foul water systems, clay has wider benefits to offer. By opting for this material, developers can minimise the potential risk of blockages and systems failures, which can reduce the long-term maintenance costs.
In the case where blockages do occur, clearing or pipe maintenance in the form of high-pressure jetting can be required. Clay pipes can withstand a jetting pressure of up 7,500 psi and provide natural resistance to the abrasive nature of pipe cleaning techniques. This helps ensure that future residents and end-users of developments reap the benefits of fully functioning water management systems.
Alongside the benefits of maintenance, clay also has sustainability credentials. Clay is a naturally abundant material in the UK and is one of the oldest and most popular construction materials. For this reason, it is widely available and can be sourced locally, avoiding the need for long-haul transportation and sourcing – with Wavin’s Hepworth Clay pipes, for example, the clay is sourced within a five-mile radius of the manufacturing plant where local rainwater, rather than mains water, is also used in the production process.
All production scrap is recycled and heat from the kilns is recycled in the drying process. Wavin also pre-fires raw material which cuts down the kiln firing time and reduces the amount of CO2 produced dramatically. As a result, by choosing clay for foul water systems, developers can ensure that their projects are fit for purpose in the long term while also knowing they are using a product with excellent sustainability credentials
Claying the future
Now more than ever, the properties of clay pipe provide housebuilders and developers a future fit solution for all applications, especially in challenging conditions such as brownfield sites.
With the industry facing increasing pressure to meet housing targets, balancing sustainability and cost-efficiency, clay stands out as a material that offers both immediate and long-term solutions. For developers working on brownfield sites or in environments where water management is particularly challenging, clay pipes can provide the robustness and reliability needed to future-proof the UK’s infrastructure.
To find out more about Wavin’s clay product range, click here.
