Buried a While Longer — Practical Strategies for Pressure Pipe Assessment and Renewal

Over the years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Water Research Foundation (WRF) have published discouraging forecasts for the anticipated renewal investment needed to maintain our nation’s drinking water assets. For many utilities, the value of buried pipeline assets often exceeds that of treatment facilities. As pressure pipelines continue to age and deteriorate, unanticipated breaks and resulting emergency repairs are constituting an increasing percentage of utilities’ operating budgets. While drinking water pipelines have been subject to much study and analysis, wastewater pressure pipelines such as force mains and siphons have received less attention yet are also subject to the same risks. In addition to public inconvenience and repair costs, fines or sanctions may be imposed for the release of untreated wastewater to the environment. Many municipalities and utilities are already implementing programs that involve renewal of buried assets and applying strategies that can then be implemented in both the drinking water and wastewater systems. While industry focus is often pointed towards program level asset management solutions, there is value to be found in smaller, more practical strategies for pipeline condition assessment and rehabilitation. Doing something (focusing limited resources on the most critical areas) is better than being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the challenge and doing nothing. These practical strategies allow utilities to leave less problematic pipes buried a while longer and to fix those pipes that should be buried no more.