{"id":2278,"date":"2016-05-09T15:30:25","date_gmt":"2016-05-09T13:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/en\/actueel\/kwr-toont-gouverneur-michigan-zelfreinigend-leidingnet\/"},"modified":"2016-06-11T21:08:48","modified_gmt":"2016-06-11T19:08:48","slug":"kwr-demonstrates-self-cleaning-network-to-governor-snyder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/en\/actueel\/kwr-demonstrates-self-cleaning-network-to-governor-snyder\/","title":{"rendered":"KWR demonstrates self-cleaning network to Governor Snyder"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the last day of his trade mission, Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan, USA, visited KWR to hear more about possible solutions to the drinking water problems in the city of Flint. Since last year, the city has been experiencing lead release in the pipe network. Principal scientist Jan Vreeburg advocated the \u2018self-cleaning water pipe network\u2019 as a more reliable and less expensive alternative for the existing network.<\/p>\n

The core of the lead problem in Flint is the change in water quality which has caused the lead solubility of the water to increase significantly. The Flint water company changed last year from drinking water from Detroit to local river water. Jan Vreeburg: \u201cThe short-term solution to this problem is reversal to the original situation regarding both source and treatment. In the long term, however, the complete network has to be replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KWR<\/p>\n

Analysis of the Flint pipe network shows the diameter of the pipes to be (much) too large for the actual water demand. Vreeburg: \u201cThis results in accumulation and resuspension of deposits leading to discoloured water. Public opinion associates this discolouration closely with the lead problem. However, problems with discoloured water are much more generic and occur in all over-dimensioned networks containing deposits which may resuspend. This is a challenge that is dealt with actively in the Netherlands, just like the lead pipes problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"KWR<\/p>\n

Less expensive and more reliable<\/h2>\n

Governor Snyder showed great interest in the new concept of \u2018self-cleaning networks\u2019, which is now considered as the solution for existing pipe networks in the Netherlands. The design and implementation of the self-cleaning network is radically different, with a minimum number of valves, for example. The most important condition is that a velocity high enough to remove the material causing discolouration is reached every day. \u201cFor the situation in Flint,\u201d Vreeburg continues, \u201cthis leads to a less expensive and more reliable network, because it is 50% shorter and has up to 90% fewer valves. The costs of such a network are 40 to 50% lower compared to a conventional network. Combined with an adequate treatment of the drinking water (preventing the lead in the pipe network from dissolving) this will restore consumer trust and confidence in the drinking water: better water quality and lower costs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pilot<\/h2>\n

KWR CEO Wim van Vierssen offered Governor Snyder the option to investigate the possibilities for a pilot project in Flint to introduce this new principle in the USA and to demonstrate the effects and benefits of the new approach. Michigan State University professor Joan Rose confirms that the situation in Flint (ageing infrastructure with water quality issues) is representative of many urban areas in the US.<\/p>\n

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Video – 03:48<\/div>\n
Joan Rose over de situatie in Flint<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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