Condition Assessment Technologies for Drinking Water and Wastewater Pipelines: State-of-the-Art Literature and Practice Review

Abstract

Aging and deteriorating drinking water and wastewater pipelines have become a major problem in the United States, warranting significant federal attention and regulation. Many utilities have begun or improved programs to manage the renewal of their water and wastewater pipes and are proactively managing their pipeline assets rather than reactively fixing them. However, the extensive size of drinking water and wastewater systems and the severity of the deterioration problem are such that it is important to prioritize renewal, by assessing the condition of the pipelines and resolving the most severe situations first.

There is a variety of condition assessment technologies and methodologies available and in current use. This research incorporates an extensive literature review on actual cases of use of these various condition assessment technologies and techniques. This research also compiles information gathered through interviews and data mining work with utilities across the United States. The combination of case studies collected through literature review and case studies collected directly from utility sources about actual application of drinking water and wastewater pipeline condition assessment practices used have made it possible to synthesize the current practices and trends regarding pipeline condition assessment in the United States. The synthesis also allows for the identification of key lessons learned that should be considered by utilities when implementing condition assessment of pipelines. Recommendations have also been made for research priorities for filling utility needs.