Fiberglass Piping in Wastewater Treatment: Corrosion-Free Performance Meets Sustainable Efficiency

Wastewater Treatment

1. Introduction – Challenges in Wastewater Piping

Wastewater treatment plants are some of the toughest environments for piping systems. From raw sewage and sludge to aggressive chemicals and abrasive slurries, pipes are constantly exposed to conditions that accelerate wear and corrosion. Traditional piping materials like carbon and stainless steel often fall short—they corrode, scale up, require frequent maintenance, and consume high amounts of energy for pumping.

This is where fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) piping, particularly glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE), comes in. With over 60 years of proven use, fibreglass piping systems are redefining wastewater management by offering unmatched durability, efficiency, and sustainability.

 

2. A Legacy of Reliability – 60 Years of FRP in Wastewater

For more than six decades, GRE piping from NOV Fiber Glass Systems has been trusted in wastewater treatment plants worldwide. These pipes are used across a wide range of critical applications, including:

  • Raw sewage lift stations
  • Activated sludge and return lines
  • Grit removal systems
  • Odour control ducts and piping
  • Chemical feeds (e.g., ferric chloride, sodium hypochlorite, sulfuric acid, polymer dosing)
  • Scum return lines
  • Heat recovery loops

Their long-term reliability has been repeatedly proven. For example, a Canadian wastewater treatment facility tested a 27-year-old GRE sample and found it still exceeded ASTM D1598 requirements for qualification based on its original design. That kind of durability demonstrates why fiberglass piping continues to be a preferred choice for demanding wastewater applications. GRE is inert in wastewater treatment applications, meaning replacement is not required for decades, and often never at all.

 

3. Why GRE Piping Excels – Nine Key Benefits

a) Corrosion Resistance

Fiberglass does not rust, pit, or suffer from galvanic corrosion like steel. It resists both internal and external attack—including corrosion under insulation and microbiologically induced corrosion—making coatings and cathodic protection unnecessary.

b) Resistance to Scale and Struvite

Wastewater systems often face blockages from struvite buildup. GRE pipes maintain a smooth internal surface with a Hazen–Williams coefficient of 150, resisting deposits and reducing cleaning needs. Struvite is removed from GRE piping with periodic pigging with soft foam pigs, or by pressure washing.

c) Hydraulic Efficiency

The smooth bore reduces head loss, allowing smaller pumps to be used. This translates into lower horsepower requirements and reduced energy costs. GRE piping is also ID controlled, and has a larger cross-sectional flow area than carbon steel, stainless steel or thermoplastic piping with a schedule thickness of 10 or greater.

d) Lightweight and Strong

GRE piping weighs 60–85% less than steel while offering exceptional strength. This makes it easier and more cost-effective to transport, handle, and install. Plant operators appreciate the substantially lighter weight of GRE pipe spools, which makes spool removal for cleaning and maintenance activities easier on the body with less heavy equipment required. A 6m spool of 6” GRE can be unbolted and removed by hand without the use of chainfalls, comealongs, forklifts or other lifting equipment.

e) Thermal Performance and Layout Flexibility

The thermal forces of expansion associated with GRE are 80 – 95% lower than steel pipe, which simplifies system design. Long piping runs can be restrained at the ends and guided on intermediate supports, generally without the use of expansion joints or loops, and allows wider support spacing—up to 30% better spans than vinyl ester piping and no less than twice that of thermoplastics.

f) Buried Installation Capability

Fiberglass piping can be directly buried without coatings or cathodic protection. Its combination of light weight, axial strength and flexibility allows it to be pulled into trenches in long sections via roping, or installed via HDD, saving time and effort during underground installations.

g) Superior Insulation

GRE has 99% lower thermal conductivity than steel, ensuring excellent temperature retention. Pre-insulated FRP systems can achieve nearly zero heat loss across long distances, and they integrate easily with heat tracing systems when needed.

h) Environmental Advantages

GRE piping systems lower a facility’s carbon footprint by:

  • Using 31% less energy in manufacturing
  • Cutting transport emissions by 77%
  • Reducing pumping horsepower by 60%
  • Producing 65% fewer brownfield emissions over the design life of the facility due to reduced/eliminated requirement for piping system replacement

i) Proven Jointing Technology

GRE uses adhesive-bonded bell-and-spigot joints, socket joints, and Key-Lock joints, which are easy to install and have shown dependable performance for more than 50 years.

4. Key Product Lines for Wastewater Applications

Green Thread HP®

This flagship GRE system is built with an aromatic amine-cured epoxy resin and a corrosion-resistant liner. Features include:

  • Sizes from 1" to 42" diameter
  • Pressure ratings of 16–40 bar (232–580 psig)
  • Continuous service temperatures up to 121 °C
  • NSF-61 approval for potable water
  • Canadian registration numbers (CRNs) on flanges and fittings

Its performance has been proven in real-world testing—pipes in service for nearly three decades still perform like new.

Centricast® FRP Pipes (CL, RB, Z-Core)

Centrifugally cast FRP pipes are designed for specialized environments:

  • CL – Vinyl ester, up to 93 °C (200 °F), for oxidizers and chemical handling.
  • RB – Epoxy, up to 121 °C (250 °F), for slurries, power plants, and industrial wastewater.
  • Z-Core – Novolac epoxy, up to 135 °C (275 °F), designed for aggressive acids such as 98% sulfuric acid and for steam condensate.

These tailored options ensure engineers can match piping performance to exact chemical and thermal conditions.

 

5. Expanding the FRP Landscape – Beyond Wastewater

While wastewater treatment is a major application, fiberglass piping plays an equally important role in other industries:

  • Water management: clarifier baffles, ducts, and skimmers.
  • Desalination: resistant to high salinity and chemical environments.
  • Mining: effective for handling abrasive and corrosive slurries.
  • Data centers: used in cooling systems for efficiency and insulation.
  • Power generation: reliable for chemical feed and cooling loops.

The global FRP piping market is projected to surpass $7 billion by 2028, with a steady growth rate of over 4.5% CAGR. This growth reflects increasing demand for sustainable, corrosion-free, and long-lasting piping systems.

 

6. Conclusion – A Future-Proof Solution

Fiberglass piping has proven itself as a superior solution for wastewater treatment. Its durability, corrosion resistance, hydraulic efficiency, ease of installation, and sustainability make it a natural choice for utilities and industries looking for long-term performance.

Products like Green Thread HP® and Centricast® highlight how FRP can be tailored to diverse chemical, thermal, and mechanical demands, ensuring dependable performance across all stages of wastewater treatment.

As municipalities and industries seek infrastructure that is both resilient and environmentally responsible, fiberglass piping stands out as the future-proof answer. In many cases, it’s not just a better option—it’s the only solution that makes sense for modern wastewater systems.

To learn more, reach out to us today at Fibreglass Solutions Inc.