Why do water mains keep breaking across the Piedmont-Triad?
Why do water mains keep breaking across the Piedmont-Triad?
A series of water main breaks across the Triad has disrupted service for thousands of residents, with the largest break in eastern Forsyth County leaving people without water for more than 24 hours.
Engineers say weather, cyberattacks, and security threats are not responsible for the recent breaks. Aging infrastructure may be the cause, though identifying specific issues can be difficult. Pipe problems often go undetected due to their underground location or challenges in monitoring pressure.
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Forsyth County utilities report that some 12-inch and 24-inch pipes in the area are 50 years old and need replacement, particularly to accommodate growing populations. Other pipes are up to 100 years old and still in good condition, utilities director Courtney Driver said. Many underground pipes are made from cast iron or PVC, materials that can rust, crack, or leak over time.
Driver said that water main breaks happen all the time, but they are often small, detected quickly, and repaired right away. In those instances, customers may not even notice a change in pressure and water wouldn’t be compromised for boil water.
“We have a very robust capital improvements program,” she said. “We look at our infrastructure. We look at building new pipes or infrastructure to replace the old ones. We also have a robust rehabilitation program.”
At NC State University, engineers are working to incorporate more pressure monitoring into new pipe systems and replacements to detect and isolate leaks faster.
“I would expect something like that, you know, probably should have been replaced a little bit earlier. But I think different utilities have different plans,” said Kumar Mahinthakumar, a civil engineering professor at NC State.
Better monitoring and detection systems would help detect even the smallest leaks and allow for repairs to be made quickly.
“A lot of times, these smaller leaks, especially when they are buried deep in the ground, you know, can go undetected for years. And those can develop into bigger breaks,” he said.