Hot water supply to Jugla can become a health hazard
Hot potable water supply to apartment buildings in Riga^apostrofs;s Jugla residential area can become a health hazard because old water pipes are being replaced with inexpensive zinc-coated pipes that do not comply with construction regulations in Latvia. If hot water passes through them, it can become toxic.
Hot potable water supply to apartment buildings in Riga's Jugla residential area can become a health hazard because old water pipes are being replaced with inexpensive zinc-coated pipes that do not comply with construction regulations in Latvia. If hot water passes through them, it can become toxic.
Armands Ozols, heat supply engineer at the "Jugla" manager's office, told LETA that according to a contract that the Riga City Council's Public Utilities Department signed with "Buvland Ltd.", internal water pipes are being replaced in buildings at 389, 395, 398, 416, 418 Brivibas Street, 3, 4, 5 Tirzas Street, and 27 Juglas Street.
Even though prohibited by construction regulations in Latvia, zinc-coated steel pipes that were bought cheap in Russia are being installed in buildings for hot water supply. According to Ozols, zinc-covered steel pipes must not be used for hot water because they start to emit zinc once water temperature reaches 60-65 degrees Celsius. If consumed by humans, zinc can cause various diseases. According to regulations, hot water temperature supplied to apartment buildings must be 55-70 degrees Celsius.
Ozols has reported the installation of zinc-covered water pipes to Jazeps Kozurs, Riga City Council's executive director in Riga's Vidzeme District, and Riga City Council's executive director Maris Tralmaks.
Janis Karpovics, chairman of the Riga City Council's Public Utilities and Apartment Issues Committee, promised LETA that the department's specialists would inspect the buildings where the repairs are under way by May 16. Old hot water pipes must be replaced with polymer pipes or pipes made of copper and stainless steel. The latter are usually not used due to their high price.
Emīlija Kozule LETA
Copyright © LETA
Armands Ozols, heat supply engineer at the "Jugla" manager's office, told LETA that according to a contract that the Riga City Council's Public Utilities Department signed with "Buvland Ltd.", internal water pipes are being replaced in buildings at 389, 395, 398, 416, 418 Brivibas Street, 3, 4, 5 Tirzas Street, and 27 Juglas Street.
Even though prohibited by construction regulations in Latvia, zinc-coated steel pipes that were bought cheap in Russia are being installed in buildings for hot water supply. According to Ozols, zinc-covered steel pipes must not be used for hot water because they start to emit zinc once water temperature reaches 60-65 degrees Celsius. If consumed by humans, zinc can cause various diseases. According to regulations, hot water temperature supplied to apartment buildings must be 55-70 degrees Celsius.
Ozols has reported the installation of zinc-covered water pipes to Jazeps Kozurs, Riga City Council's executive director in Riga's Vidzeme District, and Riga City Council's executive director Maris Tralmaks.
Janis Karpovics, chairman of the Riga City Council's Public Utilities and Apartment Issues Committee, promised LETA that the department's specialists would inspect the buildings where the repairs are under way by May 16. Old hot water pipes must be replaced with polymer pipes or pipes made of copper and stainless steel. The latter are usually not used due to their high price.
Emīlija Kozule LETA
Copyright © LETA