Institute of Water Drilling and Tapping Championships puts water engineers under pressure

(22/02/2010)

The Institute of Water is holding a contest as a showcase for the profession and is inviting teams of two to sign up. The contest, which takes place at the IWEX exhibition in April, challenges contestants to pit their precision skills against their peers. It is being hosted by the Institute of Water and is now open for entries.

Contestants will be hoping for no unexpected showers as they bid to be crowned national champions by successfully drilling and tapping a high pressure water main. Points will be awarded for speed, precision and the absence of leaks.

The winning team, drawn from a utility company, partner or contractor, will go on to represent the UK at the America Water Works Association competition in the USA.

The pair will drill and tap a 150mm diameter ductile iron main under pressure at 40-70psi and connect a service tap. The challenge will be complete once water discharges from the tap but teams will be penalised for leaks and breaches of safety and technical rules.

“The Institute of Water National Drilling and Tapping Championship attracts people to IWEX who might not normally attend an industry exhibition,” said the Institute of Water’s chief executive, Lynn Cooper.

“It’s a fun way to focus attention on some of the key skills that are necessary within the industry, while enabling teams to meet their peers from other water companies and contractors. Spectators also love watching the teams drilling into the water main in the middle of the NEC – it’s not the kind of thing that they naturally expect to find in the exhibition.”

IWEX is part of the Sustainabilitylive! 2010 exhibition that runs from April 20 to 22 at the NEC in Birmingham. Anyone interested in taking part in the competition can contact the Institute of Water.

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