Don’t let opportunity go down the drain, urges Richard Eddy, Category Manager for Polypipe Building Products.
It has been 18 months since the introduction of the new Sewerage Sector Guidance, which was prepared to meet the requirements of Ofwat’s Code for Adoption Agreements was issued, and there are still some builders who are missing out on some real advantages that the new guidance brings.
The industry had been calling for a framework that allows for a more holistic approach to water management, and the new Sewerage Sector Guidance can pave the way for the design and installation of systems where above ground drainage and below ground drainage solutions can work closer in tandem.
The new mandatory code, including the Design and Construction Guidance, came into force in April 2020 and is subject to regular updates and amendments.
The framework has been put in place for the use of a greater range of below ground and above ground water drainage systems, from the use of geocellular attenuation systems, to soft SuDS systems including natural culverts, water run-off systems and permeable paving, alongside the traditional use of large diameter pipe systems.
In addition, while the former regulations allowed water companies to vary requirements on products and systems deployed for drainage systems, the updated guidance ensures that all products and materials are evaluated by the same standards across England.
Importantly, there is an explicit instruction that the use of plastic-based pipes for below ground drainage can be considered on all sites. This means that there are now regions in England where house builders and developers can choose from a greater range of products and systems to suit their project objectives.
Plastic piping has always featured in sewer guidance, but new mandatory guidelines from Water UK, as approved by Ofwat, state that all sewerage companies must adopt systems including plastic pipes and fittings, as long as they meet relevant product standards.
There are many advantages to using plastic pipes, but the key benefits are in terms of installation and reliability.
Plastic pipes offer ease of handling and robustness on site, the smooth internal bores facilitating superior flow properties, and the materials they are made from give great corrosion and chemical resistance. Plastic pipes have consistently low leakage rates, and an excellent performance throughout the full life cycle.
Plastic pipes weigh a lot less than concrete and clay alternatives and can be up to 94 per cent lighter which has obvious advantages, such as reducing labour and machinery costs as often less equipment is required for heavy lifting, and longer lengths mean fewer joints need to be made.
The flexible nature of the material means that it will be much less likely to fail due to earth movements, flooding and temperature changes and is less susceptible to cracks and leaks than rigid materials.
There are long-term advantages to using plastic pipes beyond the initial installation – as is demonstrated by the fact that plastic pipes have been used in used in foul and surface water drainage system for more than 60 years and are built to last for 100 years. They are also sustainable as they are 100% recyclable at the end of life.
Builders now have more options in front of them to install a suitable drainage system and are able to draw on a greater range of materials and products to develop solutions that meet the design specification of the developer, water company.
Focused on delivering solutions to the residential sector, Polypipe Building Products works with national and local developers, plumbing and heating engineers, general builders and groundworkers to deliver above and below ground drainage systems, rainwater solutions as well as hot and cold plastic plumbing products.
Polypipe can advise builders on how the guidelines will affect their projects, with our below ground drainage technical experts available to offer guidance.
Richard Eddy has more than 30 years’ experience in the plastics pipes manufacturing industry, he is currently the Category Manager for Polypipe Building Products, responsible for Below Ground Piping Systems for foul and surface water. For further information on Polypipe visit https://www.polypipe.com/
