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Leaks On Polyethylene Pipes!

Started by Jason Ormesher, Leakage Detection Specialist & Team Leader at Global Water Conservation

According to UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) electrofusion joints have been found to be significantly more likely to fail than butt...
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By Jason Ormesher, Leakage Detection Specialist & Team Leader at Global Water Conservation


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Divining Rods? Please give me your views and opinions?

Started by Jason Ormesher, Leakage Detection Specialist & Team Leader at Global Water Conservation

The nearest thing to a theory on how the rods work is based on the fact that flowing water creates a weak magnetic field. The magnetic...
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By Ian Dunsmore, Network Analyst at Scottish Water

Jason Ormesher

Leaks On Polyethylene Pipes!
According to UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) electrofusion joints have been found to be significantly more likely to fail than butt fusion and mechanical joints. Analysis of failure data and destructive electrofusion joint test records suggest that 20% of electrofusion joints will have a life span considerably less than the 50 year design life. Meaning for the technician on the ground when struggling to locate possible leaks on PE; a good place to start is where there has likely been electrofusion used. This would be at the Top Tee area (ferrule), the property boundary when connecting to the supply, and around the launch pit area which is normally at busy asset areas (valves, tee junctions, and hydrants); also note PE coils come at 100m lengths.

Hope this is of some help?

Paul Murphy

• There is divining for water and there is divining for pipe tracing two totally different forms of divining. the procedure is slightly different, yes you use rods or twigs or old coat hangers. water divining for water is better done with a forked piece of wood, Divining with rods is better for pipe tracing. As Jason says it is without doubt a good instrument for tracing PVC pipes. although many water companies frown greatly at this method of leak finding. I used it extensively in the Middle East for getting pipe alinement due to excessive distances between valves. So that the Fuji Tecom could listen along the main, this was done with fantastic results, On many intersections we were able to map out pipe work and find hidden lines.
The principle way that it works is said to be on Magnetic forces as water has and does give of magnetic polarities and I would accept this to be the reason why it works. You must remember also that whilst divining these will pickup electrical cables and telegraphic cableing.
I would despute the claim that people can tell depth this I rather feel is a myth and I have seen many different ways that depth can be found with the divining rods to the point of laughable means. This I would like to see proved... I fully understand that some people are very sceptical but when you are as old as me, The old ways are sometimes the best.
Marks comment, The comment above by Mark is very valid and was conveyed to me by a guy many years ago, he said, "any type of technology is only a tool and the decision to mark or not to mark a leak is upto the leakage engineer, so use the tools and rely on your own instinct, taking in all factors visual and technical". I have stood by this and it has stood me in good stead and I too pass it on in training.