Computational pipeline monitoring (CPM) is legislated on most pipelines in North America. While these systems are crucial in maintaining the integrity of a pipeline, they only operate at roughly 2-3% of throughput, and have a theoretical limit of 1% of throughput due to the error tolerance for meters.

In the fall of 2017, Grand Rapids contracted with Wachs Water Services to assess and evaluate 20 additional large valves Grand Rapids’ transmission system to pilot the foreign method of maintenance, operation and rehabilitation.

A utility client in the upper Midwest operates and maintains approximately 1,250 miles of water main, 31,000 system valves, approximately 1,320 large system valves (16” and larger) and has a maximum day demand of approximately 75 MGD.

A proactive leak detection strategy plays an important role in any asset management program. It allows utilities to obtain the general condition of their mains, since a leak not only represents a real water loss, but can also indicate the potential for pipeline failure.

While metallic rising mains have been historically difficult to manage, a risk-based approach increases confidence in the condition of the pipeline.

The operability of critical valves is essential to control a water system and ensure system reliability. Critical valves control vital water transmission lines – the backbone of any water system. Operable critical valves reduce the consequences when large diameter pipeline failures occur.

Despite its high strength, steel has a propensity to dent, buckle, corrode or crack when exposed, all risks to the integrity of a pipeline. In order to identify defects, proactive pipeline inspections are necessary to avoid failures, leaks or ruptures. One way of validating pipeline integrity is the use of Direct Assessment.

When valves are not accessible or operable, crews have to back up and close more valves to isolate the line. It takes longer to complete the repair, more customers are impacted and potential of damage to property as a result of a main break increases.

Each day, 850 main breaks occur in North America. A study by Utah State University reported that the average break rate per 100 miles of pipe can be as high as 24.4 breaks per 100 miles of pipe.

For utilities with large-diameter networks, waiting for failures to occur before repairing or replacing highly critical mains is not an option.

While PCCP assessment and management have been successfully used by utilities for years, effective assessment solutions for ferrous pipe have only recently been commercialized.

Valve condition assessment services involve inspecting, operating, and assessing the mechanical condition and operational reliability of water main valves. Wachs Water Services provides a comprehensive condition assessment report detailing the operability of the asset including residual life, rehabilitation or repair.

Since 2007, utilities all over the world have been using the SmartBall® pipeline inspection platform to save millions of dollars in water loss and to fix leaks before they turn into larger problems.

Despite their critical importance, for decades many municipal utilities have operated under a “bury and forget” mentality – with little emphasis on long-term management of their aging pipelines – at least until something goes wrong.

According to AWWA’s 2016 Benchmarking Survey, the average water and wastewater utility has seven breaks per 100 miles of piping every year. Tip-top systems experience just four breaks in that distance, while those at the bottom have 18.

With stories of broken mains and aging infrastructure attracting more public attention, pipeline owners face difficult questions about long-term planning for their water and wastewater linear assets. In particular, when and where to focus renewal funding to service these aging networks.