Table of Contents
Tackling Asset Integrity in Ageing Water Infrastructure
Across the water and wastewater sector, ageing infrastructure remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Many pumps, pipelines, storage tanks, and treatment assets now operate well beyond their original design life.
These assets face constant exposure to aggressive chemicals, abrasive solids, and microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC). Over time, these conditions reduce performance and increase maintenance demands.
Water companies now focus on maintaining reliability while minimising disruption. They also seek smarter ways to repair and protect assets without lengthy shutdowns.
Smarter Protection with Advanced Coating Technologies
Advanced coating technologies help water companies extend asset life, improve reliability, and reduce maintenance costs. High-performance systems such as Belzona 1321 protect equipment operating in aggressive environments. They provide excellent resistance to erosion, corrosion, and continuous immersion.
A recent project at Belzona UK’s application facility involved three newly commissioned single-stage end suction pumps handling sewage water.
The customer wanted to maximise service life from day one. They selected Belzona 1321 to protect the internal surfaces from wastewater corrosion while maintaining long-term performance.
Belzona 1321 also creates a smooth, durable finish that improves fluid flow. This reduces friction losses and increases pumping efficiency. Belzona systems have demonstrated efficiency improvements of up to 20% on refurbished equipment and 7% on new equipment.
This combination of protection and efficiency gives water companies a practical solution for improving the performance of critical infrastructure.
Driving Efficiency Through Proactive Maintenance
Water companies continue to face pressure to reduce costs while improving service delivery. As a result, many now adopt proactive maintenance strategies instead of reacting to failures.
Planned repairs extend maintenance intervals, reduce unplanned downtime, and lower whole-life costs.
One wastewater treatment clarifier had suffered severe concrete deterioration after years of exposure to water and treatment chemicals. The operator faced a difficult choice. They could replace the structure at considerable cost or restore it using Belzona concrete repair solutions. They chose repair.
The team restored the damaged concrete and returned the clarifier to service within days. Replacement would have taken years and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
This project shows how proactive maintenance extends asset life, reduces costs, and keeps critical infrastructure operating reliably.
Connecting with the Industry at the Water Equipment Show
Industry events such as the Pump Centre’s Water Equipment Show bring together utilities, contractors, manufacturers, and engineering specialists.
Belzona UK values these opportunities. They allow us to share expertise, discuss industry challenges, and demonstrate proven repair and protection technologies.
The event also encourages collaboration across the sector. Sharing practical experience helps accelerate innovation and improve asset management.
During the exhibition, Alex Murdoch, Strategic Industry Manager for Water, attended Repairing Pumps: Supporting the Journey to Net Zero, presented by Grundfos’ James Wright.
Alex commented, “The move away from a disposable culture for smaller pumps is essential. Repairing and protecting equipment instead of replacing it reduces lifecycle costs, conserves valuable materials, and supports the water sector’s journey to net zero.”
He added, “The same principle applies to larger assets. Repairing concrete structures or strengthening pipelines with composite repairs can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of water authorities.”
Supporting Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability remains a priority throughout the water industry. Extending the life of existing assets reduces waste, lowers material consumption, and helps prevent pollution incidents.
Repair and protection technologies play a key role in achieving these goals. They reduce the need for replacement and lower the environmental impact of maintenance activities.
For almost 75 years, Belzona has helped customers repair, protect, and extend the life of critical industrial assets. Today, those proven technologies continue to give the water industry confidence to improve reliability, increase sustainability, and deliver long-term operational performance. Get in touch to discuss your maintenance and repair needs
