Water Distribution Infrastructure More Vulnerable In Cold Weather

By Author: Jeff Hewson
Total Articles: 14
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As temperatures plunge around the country, the aging underground infrastructure of some of Canada’s most densely populated cities come under threat of injury. Quickened freeze and thaw cycles that have characterized many recent Canadian winters mean that more and more city dwellers are encountering water main breaks.

Toronto has been particularly vulnerable to incidents such as water main breaks because of the number of rivers which track across and through its topography and because of how much of its water distribution infrastructure is aging.

It is not uncommon to hear news reports of traffic delays caused by water main breaks. Similarly, there are often new images published of bridges or large swaths of roadway that have collapsed into what is commonly referred to as a sink hole. Not immediately obvious and visible to viewers are the groundwater flow patterns underneath which have slowly and steadily ripened the area for such a collapse.

Homeowners and city repair crews alike do well to be aware of where and how they can quickly locate Emergency Pumps. Pump Rentals can help by providing sophisticated ...
... equipment needed for temporary pumping, bypassing or diverting flows. Depending on the location and character of a water main break or sink hole, different types of equipment are necessary.

Statistics available about Toronto’s water main infrastructure are noteworthy because with the exception of how many square kilometers of infrastructure exist, systems throughout the country are comparable. Toronto’s water distribution system consists of about 5,850 kms of water mains. The product is metallic, made of cast or ductile iron and has an average lifespan of about 55 years. Because of how the city has evolved, 17% of its water mains are older than 80 years old. About 6% are more than 100 years old. Across Canada, water main pipes are buried on public streets at a depth of about 1.5 meters, just below the frost line.

Author Bio:

The author of the article is affiliated with emergency Pumps and pump rentals, a company that provides dewatering and pumping services for more information visit our site www.aquatechdewatering.com