City of Burton, Michigan Receives Award for PVC Water Pipe Project

Saves Taxpayers $651,000

11/18/2015

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The Burton View

Water and sewer rates are increasing across the country. With pipe representing 60% of the cost of water and sewer projects, focusing on pipe material selection is the first step in helping to reduce costs. Operations and maintenance costs, environmental sustainability, longevity, health and safety as well as initial cost are all equally important considerations. Unfortunately, outdated procurement practices often prevent cost-effective and better performing materials from being considered. This is why the City of Burton, MI which previously used only iron pipe in its water system, opened up its specifications to PVC.

Below are excerpts from an article that recently appeared in "The Burton View."

"The City of Burton’s five-year project to replace its aging drinking water system was recognized with the 2015 Innovation in Infrastructure and Technology award from the Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission. Burton Mayor Paula Zelenko and Utilities Superintendent Dave Marshke were on hand to receive the award. Marshke was appreciative for the recognition and the opportunity to bring this topic to the forefront. He stressed the importance of projects like this as clean, affordable water is a necessity for all communities."


Longer Life Expectancy, Quality of Water Healthier Than Water Carried by Ductile Iron

"The City is looking to the future using PVC water main pipe, which is manufactured as a "green" product, requires less energy and fewer resources and has a conservative life expectancy of at least 100 years. It is much lighter, making it cheaper to install and maintain. Most importantly, because PVC pipe is non-corrosive, the quality of the water delivered to the residents is healthier than water carried by ductile iron."

"Providing safe drinking water is a top priority for my administration," Zelenko said. "Residents and businesses should feel comfortable knowing they have access to clean and safe drinking water every time they turn on the faucet."

"Using the State of Michigan’s low-interest Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF), the City has undertaken an ambitious project to replace its aging and rusty 1930s-era ductile iron water main infrastructure within the City’s Water Tower district with safer, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly PVC pipes."


Fewer Interruptions in Service, Fire-Fighting Safety Improved, More Sustainable

"The use of PVC will also allow the City to increase water pressure to the residents by an average of 25 lbs., further improving quality of life and increasing fire-fighting safety. The quality of the pipe and the expected longevity will also result in fewer interruptions in service. Not only that, but the use of PVC is saving the taxpayers of Burton $651,000."

"PVC is clearly the better choice, for the positive impact it will have on the environment and the residents of the City of Burton, as well as for the cost savings it will bring," Zelenko said. "The project, which began in June 2014 will, when completed in 2019, have replaced over 19 miles of corroded, dilapidated cast iron pipe with high quality, healthy, low cost PVC pipe -- benefitting the residents of the City of Burton in many ways for decades to come."

Click here to read article.

www.uni-bell.org