Pinhole leaks and the damage associated with their
repair have high financial, emotional, and time costs. The
authors evaluated the factors influencing the occurrence
and costs of pinhole leak corrosion in suburban Washington,
D.C. A mail survey was used to elicit information
about experiences and repair costs associated with pinhole
leaks. Pinhole leak occurrences were found to be associated
with plumbing type, property age, pipe failure history,
and dwelling distance from a water treatment plant.
Information on factors associated with pinhole leak
incidence and costs can be useful to water utility managers
in formulating policies and programs to reduce
pinhole leak occurrences and the negative financial and
emotional impacts of corrosion on individual households.
Faster responses to pinhole leak outbreaks by
utility managers and policymakers would reduce the
costs of pinhole leak repairs. Expanding state-funded
property insurance to cover damage from leaks when
private insurance coverage is inadequate would also be
beneficial. The predictive equation will also provide
utility managers with the basis for predicting such leaks
in their service areas. Includes 35 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 100 - No. 12 |
| Number of Pages : | 12 |
| Published : | 12/01/2008 |
