Download Pub. No. 15-PS-19303-A

A ten year old 70 km long 700mm diameter prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) is rapidly corroding in Namibia's coastal saline soil. As a result, valuable and scare water is being lost. Namibia's Dept. Of Water Affairs outlined a plan to replace 4000 meters of the most deteriorated portion of the line, but realize they must replace the entire line within the next few years. Flowtite pipe was chosen over ductile iron and asbestos-cement for the replacement based on cost and delivery timing.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) was required to certify the quality control system and the pipe's design. The PN16 pipe was tested to 10 times the normal pressure the pipeline will be exposed without any signs of distress.

"The installation took one third the time it would have taken to install steel or concrete pipe", said Du P. Calitz, a logistics engineer for the Dept. Of Water Affairs.

This is a good case study to show that PCCP pipes do corrode rapidly in saline soils, and that Flowtite pipe is a good choice for such corrosive environments. It also demonstrates the pipes ease of installation due to its light weight, Flowtite coupling assemble, and long 12 meter lengths.