OUTLINE AND TIMETABLE FOR 

 “WATERMAIN COMMISSIONING TOOLS AND PROCEDURES”

INTRODUCTION:   

Outline of the seminar and the objectives, handouts, email addresses, etc.  Explanation of the test, average mark and passing mark required, and evaluation forms, background of the presenter.

A  WHAT IS COMMISSIONING? 

To confirm by testing, the following reflections of the “integrity” of the new watermain…

1)  Cleanliness
2)	Mechanical Integrity (Pressure Test)
3)	Biological Integrity (Disinfection and Sampling)
4)	Hydraulic Integrity (Flow Test)

(Basic explanation of the above concepts)

B    APPROACHES TO COMMISSIONING

A comparison of the three approaches below, the risks and benefits of each, time required and costs.  How does the size and complexity of the project affect the choice.

1)	Traditional Method-Connect to Stub or Existing

Flush or Swab
Pressure Test
Chlorinate
Dechlorinate
Sample (X2)

Risks of backflow, difficulty of monitoring supply valves, benefit of higher flows, explanation of “downstream pressure monitoring”

2)	New Method Alternative

Flush or Swab
Chlorinate
Dechlorinate
Sample (X2)
Pressure Test
Sample (X2)

Reduced backflow risk, longer completion time, possible repetition of early steps if the pressure test fails

3)	Second New Method Alternative-No Connection to Existing

Flush or Swab
Pressure Test
Chlorinate
Dechlorinate
Sample (X2)
Connect to existing using spool piece with hypochlorite rinse

Reduced flows, increased risk of failure, risk of spool connection

C    SWABBING AND FLUSHING

Benefits-air removal, debris removal,.valve positions.
When to begin-Turbidity measurement, chlorine residual, colour
Minimum flows for flushing-Osborne Reynolds and Reynolds #
When to end-turbidity, residual, debris
Why turbidity is important in the commissioning process

When to swab, swab spacing, sizing, numbering , densities.
Facilities and equipment required for swabbing and discharge
Minimum flows for swabbing
Discourage swabbing a “dry pipe”
When to end-debris, turbidity, residual

Discharging flush/swab water, erosion, dechlorination etc.

D	PRESSURE TESTING PVC, CONCRETE PRESSURE PIPE, DUCTILE IRON PIPE AND OTHERS

	Concept of allowable leak loss, formulae for calculation
	0.082*DIA*L for the two hour section explained.
Dividing the test section into smaller to confirm valve integrity
What is “uniformity of allowable losses” across the test section?
Sample calculations:		
50m of 6” pipe
		500 m of 6” pipe
		5,000m of  6” pipe
		500 km of 6” pipe (a town)
	Measurement Devices and their accuracy, gauges, dataloggers, etc
	Placement of gauges and where test pressure is measured
	Safety-pressurized connections, air etc.

Observed behaviours:
		Air in pipe, no leak
		Air in pipe, with leak
		No air in pipe, no leak
		No air in pipe, leak
Finding Leaks-brief discussion of tools, techniques and equipment.
Cumulative effects of small leaks, costs and consequences of small leaks over time.  Apply allowable leak losses to an entire city.

E 	PRESSURE TESTING OF POLY PIPE (HDPE)

	DR Rating, Calculation of test pressure
	Expansion Phase, test Period, and total time limit
	Explanation of expansion period, selection of test period
	Arriving at the allowance for expansion
	Correcting for temperature

F 	DISINFECTION-AWWA 651-01

Overview of the standard and changes from 1999 version

	Chemicals used in field, Sodium and Calcium Hypo
	Disadvantages of Hypo with respect to pH
	Safe handling, storage and disposal of Hypo in the field
	
	Three Recognized methods in AWWA 651 for disinfection
1)	Tablet method
2)	Continuous Feed-Overview, dosing calculations for feeds.
Measuring feed rates, pitot tubes and meters, pumps.  Dosing solutions and injection methods. Contact times.  Adjusting for solution/granular availability.
3)	Slug Method-Concentrations and contact time, setup, monitoring
Timing of the slug, speed of the slug, Reynolds Number and the effects of time and travel on the concentration, dosing calculations and presentation of the slug calc spreadsheet.

Field measurement, test strips, DPD and high level test kits

G	DECHLORINATION METHODS AND REQUIREMENTS

	Regulations-Federal and Provincial, local
	High vs Low concentrations determines approach
	Mechanical Methods and devices
	Discharging to Sanitary Sewers, Storm Retention Ponds, Tanks
	Chemicals:  Thiosulphates, Sulfites, Ascorbic Acid, Peroxides
	Dosing calculations 

H	SAMPLING
	
	Sampling through hydrants
	Sampling frequency/spacing
	Sample point construction/facilities
	Sampling Transmission Mains

J  	WHAT IF THE SAMPLE FAILS

	Causes and remedies
	Procedures for reflushing/resampling
	When rechlorination is required under 651

K	HYDRAULIC INTEGRITY

	NFPA 291 test or Q-20
	Finding shut valves, obstructions, improper sizing
	Confirming the design and the modelling
	Form and plot for the above, calculations and chart.

L	DOCUMENTATION

	Forms for all of the above

M	TEST-see attached

N	EVALUATION-see attached

PROPS REQUIRED/USED

Cutaway Hydrant
Pitot Tube and Static gauge
2” RPZ Backflow Preventer and 2”  Double Check Valve Assembly
Gauges of various pressure ranges
Test Strips
Turbidimeter
High Level Chlorine Test Kit
Low Level Chlorine Test Kit
Hydrant Meter
Gauge Assembly
Sample of Cal-Hypo
MSDS Sheets-Calhypo/Sodium Hypo/Thio
Sample of Sodium Thiosulphate
Sample of Sulphite Pucks
Various Dechlorinating tools/devices
Soniphone for leak location
Datalogger for documentation backup.
Swabs of various densities, pigs
“Blind” seats

SLIDES AND PPT, SUPPORTING FILES

Chlorination Calculation Spreadsheet
Flow Calculation Chart for Hydrants
Flow Test Plotting Paper
Commissioning Recording Forms