National Drilling and Tapping Competition

Sembcorp Bournemouth Water Crowned Drilling and Tapping Champions 2011

Team ‘Sembcorp Bournemouth Water’ were crowned winners of this year’s Institute of Water Drilling and Tapping Competition. Contestants Peter Haslock and Danny Hunt beat off stiff competition securing the win with a time of 2mins 32secs.

The competition was held as part of Sustainabilitylive! 2011 at the NEC in Birmingham from 24 – 26 May. Fourteen teams took part in the Annual contest hosted by the Institute of Water which sees contestants drill and tap a 150mm diameter ductile iron main under pressure and connect a service tap.

The winners will go on to represent the UK in June 2012 at the American Water Works Association Exhibition, Dallas Texas, thanks to our main sponsors Saint Gobain PAM UK.

Congratulations also go to ‘Waternet Amsterdam’ on winning the International Competition. Arie Van Bladeren and Marco Borhem secured the win against the English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh teams with a time of 2 mins 49secs. ‘Northern Ireland Ladies B’ team took the Ladies title with a winning time of 3mins 27secs. Competitors Fiona Duff and Orla McGivern were awarded the Pipetech Ladies Trophy.

Championship organiser Barrie Light from Sembcorp Bournemouth Water was delighted with the competition and the level of skill and team work demonstrated. Speaking about the event he said:

‘This was a very close and exciting competition this year, as a new fitting really challenged the teams. Once again the event demonstrated the high quality of teamwork, skill and camaraderie within the UK water industry. We need more teams to enter in to this competition to ensure it continues. Please do spread the word and encourage more water companies and contractors to get involved.’

The 24th Institute of Water Drilling and Tapping Competition will take place at Sustainabilitylive! 2012 which will be held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from 22 – 24 May. If you are interested in putting a team in to the competition next year, or would like to find out about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lyndsey Gilmartin in the first instance. Tel: 0191 422 0088, e-mail: lyndsey@instituteofwater.org.uk For more information about the competition contact Barrie Light on 07899817532 or visit www.drillingandtapping.co.uk

Thanks to all of our sponsors:
PAM Saint Gobain, Anglian Water, Cla-val, Cobas, Drain Trader, Elster, Faversham House Group, GA Vales, GPS, HWM, Hy-Ram, Mercom, Merox screen print and embroidery, Philmac, Pipetech, Scottish Water, Sembcorp Bournemouth Water, Talis Teekay, UTS, Water Direct

Further details are available including digital images from: Lyndsey Gilmartin Marketing and Events Manager, Institute of Water, 4 Carlton Court, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 OAZ. Tel: (0191) 422 0088 Fax: (0191) 422 0087 E - mail: lyndsey@instituteofwater.org.uk

Winning teams and times since the competition began:
1989: North Surrey 6 mins. 42 secs
1990: Anglian Water 4 mins. 39 secs
1991: Anglian Water 3 mins. 43 secs
1992: Thames Water 3 mins. 12 secs
1993: Thames Water 2 mins. 30 secs
1994: Anglian Water 2 mins. 31 secs
1995: Thames Water 2 mins. 32 secs
1996: South West Water 2 mins. 27 secs
1997: Three Valleys Water 2 mins. 26 secs
1998: Three Valleys Water 2 mins. 17 secs
1999: South West Water 2 mins. 6 secs
2000: Three Valleys Water 2 mins. 15 secs
2001: Wessex Water 2 mins. 32 secs
2002: B&WH/Mowlems 2 mins. 22 secs
2003: Northern Ireland Water 2 mins. 24 secs
2004: Enterprise 2 mins. 25 Secs
2005: B&WH Water 2 mins. 7secs
2006: Anglian Water 2 mins. 16 secs
2007: B&WH Water 2 mins 12 secs
2008: B&WH Water 2 mins 17 secs
2009: Severn Trent Water 2 mins 30 secs
2010: Balfour Beatty 2 mins 24 secs
2011: Sembcorp Bournemouth Water 2 mins 32.secs