Sewerage and drainage system entirely in polypropylene

The sewage system in Dutch municipalities is mainly executed in PVC. For the new sewer and drainage system in the Emmakwartier, the municipality of Alkmaar deliberately chose polypropylene, more specifically Wavin's X-Stream solutions. Ernst Klaver, sustainable water management consultant at Wavin, explains how the PP sewers contribute to a better environment.

That the municipality of Alkmaar is satisfied with Wavin's products and services is evident from the fact that our products were already prescribed in the specifications, says Klaver. "Another nice bonus for Schot Infra is that Wavin has its own service depot in Alkmaar. Should the contractor unexpectedly run short of something, they can draw on a huge 'grab stock' around the corner." So the municipality deliberately chose to carry out the reconstruction with a PP sewer. "Polypropylene has a number of advantages. It is light, tough, has high chemical resistance and does not contain vinyl chloride which makes PP a more environmentally friendly choice. Also, PP is   problem-free processing at lower temperatures; it does not become brittle."

Light weight
For the sewers, Wavin is supplying several kilometers of PP pipe. Klaver: "The municipality is also making a sustainable choice for the manholes and gullies with our Tegra manholes and Save gullies, all made of polypropylene. The Tegra manholes have a single-walled, flexible shaft that can easily accommodate any settlements in the sewer. Annoying "bumps" in the road are thus a thing of the past. Tegra manholes also guarantee a nice flow profile without hydraulic failures and blockages. The manhole is very flexible to install and lightweight. Even manually, the pit can still be positioned. This also applies to the Savekolk, which, with a capacity of 45 liters, has twice the dirt collection rate compared to a concrete one of the same dimensions. That means less risk of water flooding and longer cleaning frequency. In terms of cost and environment (no crane required), the PP manholes and gullies are more interesting than comparable concrete ones," concludes Klaver.

The drainage system in the Emmakwartier will also be executed in PP. "The municipality of Alkmaar has opted for our DT pipe, a slotted PP version with a plastic casing, so that rainwater can quickly sink into the ground or can be drained in a regulated manner during heavy rainfall. This fits right in with the municipality's vision of retaining rainwater as much as possible where it falls. And not discharge it to the WWTP. That too is better for the environment and much more cost-effective. It also prevents dehydration in dry periods." With its own project office, Wavin is happy to support companies and clients in coming up with the smartest solutions, both economically and technically.