Underground water pipes can not only leak water but in certain circumstances suck in surrounding and potentially contaminated water.
New research shows that while pressure in water mains typically forces water out through the leaks, when the pressure drops, pipes start to suck in groundwater. Any contaminants can then travel throughout the water main network.
The researchers built a test facility with over 140 meters of water mains. They then dropped the pressure in a test section of the pipe that was surrounded by water containing dye. When the team examined the water at the end of the system they found the dye had been sucked in through the leaky orifices, and remained within the system.
This shows that public officials need to be aware that a drop in pressure in water pipes could potentially be a public health issue.
The original research paper was published in the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering on June 7, 2015.
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