NYC Losing 35 Million Gallons Of Drinking Water Each Day From Outdated Infrastructure

Crisis points up benefits of PVC for replacing aging water systems

New York, NY — A state audit has found that New York City's dilapidated drinking water system is losing 35 million gallons a day through leaks and will require more than $200 million to repair.

"If the leaks in the tunnel lead to a complete collapse, New York would lose half its drinking water supply in an instant," according to state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

"This is just the latest reminder that much of our nation's water infrastructure is crumbling because of corrosion eating away at buried metal and concrete pipelines," noted Robert Walker, PE, executive director of the Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association.

"Nearly 300,000 of these aging water lines will break this year all across the nation. Each break will require investment of time and resources, not to mention the potential for contamination of drinking water, loss of fire protection and disruption of lives."

Municipalities are now increasingly turning to non-corrodible, sustainable PVC pipes to replace the decaying ones, Walker said. They are finding that the PVC pipes are more durable, more economical, and save energy.

New York's leaking tunnel provides more than half the city's drinking water, officials said. A $239 million contract has now been awarded to start the repair work. ENDS 082207

SOURCE: Vinyl News Service