Water UK has revealed that due to the current hot weather, the drier soil conditions are causing current plastic piping to move and crack due to pressure, increasing the likelihood of new bursts. With more than half of England now under a hosepipe ban, loss through leaks in the UK’s water infrastructure are far outweighing the water that is saved through people not using hosepipes.
The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) wants to spotlight copper as a solution to this water crisis, with the resilient material being used successfully in plumbing for generations.
Plastic pipes have increasingly been used in the UK’s water infrastructure due to its lower upfront cost, but many councils and water companies do not consider the long-term effects and extra costs of using the unreliable material.
Plastic is easily affected by heat and changes in environment, from warping and UV degradation in the heat and sunlight, to dents, bends, and cracks under pressure from fluctuating hydration levels in soil and concrete, which as it gets dryer can crack and shift underground.
These problems don’t just affect the wider UK infrastructure, but also local domestic plumbing. Burst pipes and water leaks, known to insurers as ‘escape of water incidents’ now account for more than a third of property damage claims, with up to £1.3 million being paid out each day to fix them, according to data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
When looking at a durable material for plumbing, copper is often valued for its durability, resistance to high temperatures and long lifespan. Although plastic is a cheaper alternative in the short term, copper’s benefits outweigh the initial costs, with less leaks, safer water, and it’s the sustainable option for a better future.
Andrew Surtees, Co-Founder of CuSP, said:
“Too long have water companies been able to get away with using plastic as a cheap way to ‘fix’ the aging UK water infrastructure, without thinking of the long-term effects of the material. The heatwaves that are causing this water crisis are due to climate change and the non-recyclability of plastic is a leading cause for this.
“The government needs to be championing materials that are durable, reliable, and recyclable, contributing to a safer, more sustainable future for our water infrastructure.”
As water companies rush to fix leaks and bursts, greater emphasis is needed on long-term resilience rather than a cheap and quick fix.
Copper can withstand decades of temperature fluctuations, pressure changes and environmental stress whilst also contributing to cleaner safer water, with its antimicrobial properties.
Andrew continued: “Choosing copper is only the start to transforming the UK’s water infrastructure, but it will provide a strong base for which water management companies can build upon, as they can trust that copper will last for generations.”
Founded by Lawton Tubes and Mueller Europe (Wednesbury Tube), CuSP comprises of two competing copper tube manufacturers who have joined forces to promote the environmental benefits of copper and speak out against the plastic greenwash.
About The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP)
Born from the ambition to challenge the plastics greenwash within construction and plumbing, CuSP champions environmental thinking, insight sharing and collaboration across industries to encourage the use of copper as a more sustainable choice.
Founded by Lawton Tubes and Mueller Europe (Wednesbury Tube), the partnership comprises of two competing copper tube manufacturers who have joined forces to promote the environmental benefits of copper and speak out against the plastic greenwash. CuSP welcomes organisations and academia to join their cause, championing the use of copper in the built environment.
CuSP is using copper as the driving force to expose the inaccuracies commonly seen in the plastics greenwash and to stand up for green construction, building a greener, more sustainable future.
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