Keep an eye on the pipes!

In recent decades, around 215,000 km of public sewer and drinking water networks have been laid in the underground of Bavaria’s towns, cities and municipalities. The public pipeline network generally represents the largest fixed asset item on a municipality’s balance sheet. The value and condition of the pipeline systems are, however, barely present in the public’s perception. Nevertheless, pipes have an “expiration date” and must be inspected at regular intervals; as a rule, they must be replaced after 50 - 80 years at the latest depending on the material used and operating conditions. The...