RKS-Samara Employs Scientific Approach to Network Upgrade
Replacing and updating networks is the constant work of the resource supply company. Each year, RKS-Samara lays 10–15 km of cold water supply and drainage pipes in the city. How to make this work more efficient — this is exactly the topic raised in an article in the first 2026 issue of the federal scientific journal «Water Supply and Sanitary Engineering» by company employees: chief engineer Igor Davydov and lead engineer of the Production Technical Department (PTU) Victoria Shishkina. Practitioners make an invaluable contribution to research and introduce scientific approaches into the work of the entire enterprise.
The work was co-authored with researchers from Samara Polytech (Samara State Technical University, SamGTU): Doctor of Technical Sciences, professor, head of the Department of Water Supply and Drainage Alexander Strelkov, and Candidate of Technical Sciences, associate professor Pavel Gorshkalov.
The average wear of water supply networks in Samara is 90.28%. Most damage occurs on pipes with a service life ranging from 25 to 50 years. But the «age» of pipes is far from the only factor affecting accident rates. In a comprehensive analysis, they consider: material, temperature fluctuations, soil properties, chemical composition of water, soil deformation, funding features, hydraulic load, and more.
Studying all factors allows identifying critically important sections of communications for priority replacement. This helps avoid major damage and reduces the load on the company«s operations.
RKS-Samara conducts planned replacement of communications thanks to the production and investment program, as well as the concession agreement concluded between the company, the city administration, and the government of the Samara Region. Since 2013, the total volume of investments by RKS-Samara in Samara«s water supply and drainage system has amounted to about 13 billion rubles (approximately $130 million at current rates).
