Worst Drought in Texas History Highlights Need for More Efficient and Reliable Water Delivery

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The state of Texas is suffering through its worst drought in recorded history. Municipalities across the state are losing millions of dollars worth of one of the public's most valuable resources, water. In the city of Houston alone, more than 700 breaches and breaks a day are being reported in the city's municipal water system. The continued loss of water by municipal water delivery systems is causing lawmakers and city managers to re-examine the design of pipe systems and the pipe materials being used in those systems. The city of Houston is losing 57 million gallons a day to failed infrastructure.

"Drought wreaks havoc on underground pipes," said Steve Shur, Executive Director of the Alliance for PE Pipe. "When the ground dries up, the pipes torque which leads to failure. It becomes a question of materials. Municipal leaders need to consider these factors when choosing what kind of pipes to use in their system."  

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe is flexible and will not fail if the ground shifts or due to extreme drought conditions. HDPE pipe is extremely strong, durable, flexible, corrosion free and chemical resistant.

Shur continued, "The average water loss for a municipal water system in the U.S. is about 10%.  In Texas, we know there are systems that lose over 40% of the water pumped. The solution for pipe breaks and water loss is available. The biggest hindrance to the solution being implemented is education and awareness. Many communities in Texas are using HDPE already. It's just a matter of time before everyone realizes that a flexible, durable, leak-free system is achievable with HDPE piping."

About the Alliance
The Alliance for PE Pipe is composed of leaders in the PE pipe industry who are committed to the advancement of polyethylene pipe in the municipal water industry.  Their goal is to help the world realize the benefits and long-term cost-effectiveness of using PE pipe.  They are concerned over the state of water in the United States and want the industry to realize that PE pipe is the best choice for conserving water and protecting the environment.

SOURCE Alliance for PE Pipe