Simple method saves iron water mains in Winnipeg

The Canadian Water Quality Association reports that the city of Winnipeg is prolonging the life of its oldest water mains using long zinc tubes or “bricks.”
The water and waste department is mid-way through a project to protect 700 kilometres of cast iron water main that run under the city’s main thoroughfares. The cast iron pipes are about 90 years old.
The city drops the long zinc tubes in small holes about 10 or 15 metres apart, a few feet from the water main. A wire from the brick sucks corrosive ions away from the pipe. The city started the 10 year program in 1998. It is expected to leave the water main rust free for 40 years, and costs about $150 per installation.