Water Main Repair/Replacement for Binghamton, New York.
Abstract
The cost of water main breaks can represent a significant portion of a water distribution system's maintenance costs. While there exists a good deal of qualitative guidance on why pipes break, and when they should be replaced, there are no universal, quantitative rules for determining when to replace pipe. In this study, a model was developed to predict pipe breaks for the Binghamton, N.Y., water distribution system as a function of age, diameter, type, winter temperature, and number of previous breaks. Cost functions were then generated for repairing and replacing pipe. Using these functions, guidance on which pipes should be replaced was developed, and costs to maintain the mains for the next 20 years were projected. It was found that the pipe break rate was not increasing significantly with time indicating that external corrosion was not great. The break rate did show a strong correlation with the severity of the previous winter frosts as indicated by the average temperature in the coldest month. In general, very few pipes in the Binghamton system need to be replaced because of a high break rate. A pipe should be replaced if its break rate (J) in breaks/year/mile exceeds some critical break rate (J*).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA095361
Entities
People
- Anthony Pelliccia
- Thomas M. Walski