www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | NOVEMBER 2015 | 37
and a stoptap. The only things that do change over the
years are materials and fittings.
How does the international Drilling and Tapping
competition work?
The winners in Birmingham go to America to compete
in their competition – it's a prize that's arranged by the
sponsor, Saint-Gobain. Separately, every year there is a
World Water Cup, which rotates between the Americans,
the Dutch and the English. This year, it's at Aquatech
in Amsterdam on the 3rd of November. Next year it will
be in Chicago, in June. Then in 2017 it will be back in
Birmingham. The three countries each have slightly
different methods, so you have to learn all three if you want
to compete in the World Water Cup.
What would be a winning time?
The winning time last year, from the Anglian team, was 2
minutes 16 seconds. Certainly anything under 2 minutes
30 has the potential to win the competition. All the teams
are getting so close together now, that it just takes one
little leak or one little fitting that doesn't go in quite right
to add the seconds on that takes you outside the margin
of winning the competition. But what it's really about is a
quality tap.
How does the ladies competition compare?
The ladies competition is a fair bit slower, because it is
physical work, but they put in the same amount of effort
and enthusiasm. It's great for all the competitors to be there
and be ambassadors for their water company.
As a judge in the competition, do you have to make any
controversial decisions?
We do, but the judge's decision is final! We hold briefings
beforehand where we say what you can and can't do. But
to be honest, we don't get too many complaints about our
decision making.
Interview by James Brockett
• Drilling and
Tapping – Info
● The UK Drilling and Tapping
competition is organised by
the Institute of Water. The
next competition takes place
at Utility Week Live (formerly
IWEX) in Birmingham's NEC,
17th & 18th May 2016.
● Teams of two are invited to
enter the competition, one
driller and one tapper. There
are categories for contractors
as well as water companies,
and a ladies competition.
● Last year's winners were
Jason Barrett and Lee Maddock
of Anglian Water with a time
of 2 minutes 16 seconds.
Bournemouth Water won the
ladies competition. Morrison
US was Best Contractor
● Entries and enquiries to Dan
Barton (Institute of Water) at
dan@instituteofwater.org.uk.
Web: drillingandtapping.co.uk.
