Learning Objectives

During this seminar participants will be engaged in instructional training, interactive exercises, and group sharing that will cover the key components of a condition assessment program, such as:

• Defining the problem(s) that the utility wants to solve with a condition assessment program.
• Developing condition assessment program goals, objectives, and data expectations.
• Building support and securing an annual budget for a condition assessment program (e.g., business case to present to management and elected governing officials).
• Prioritizing asset classes based on performance measures and risk (i.e., likelihood or probability and consequence of failure).
• Defining the utility’s risk tolerance and condition assessment thresholds.
• Creating a framework and data management system for collecting, storing, and using condition assessment data.
• Understanding and choosing the appropriate condition assessment methods and technologies.
• Evaluating the utility’s options for using in-house or contracting field inspection, data management, and engineering services.

Modules at a Glance

Module 1 – Getting Started with Your Condition Assessment Program (Day 1)

•  Learn how to establish prudent condition assessment program budgets
•  Generate ideas for where to start
•  Consider methods being used by other utilities to quantify and justify a Program Budget
•  Determine which method is right for your utility

•  Define Desktop Condition Assessment
•  Discuss commonly used methods for performing a desktop condition assessment
•  Present different ways to estimate LOF and COF
•  Discuss how break data and failure mechanisms can be used to focus condition assessment and other investments

•  Discuss reasons your utility might have for not locating, assessing, and operating small and large diameter valves
•  Review the critical role of valves in the water delivery system
•  Address the importance of regularly scheduled condition assessment and operation of isolation/control valves
•  Present key components of a valve assessment program (benefits, goals, program approaches, in-house vs. outsourcing resources, field activities, data collection/documentation, and answers to common questions and concerns)

•  Discuss reasons for conducting leak detection
•  Learn how and why we use leak detection as a condition assessment tool
•  Introduce currently available leak detection methods and tools (acoustic and non-acoustic)
•  For acoustic leak detection methods, understand how sound travels through pipes and learn about methods for distribution pipes and transmission mains

•  Discuss the benefits of pressure monitoring
•  Learn about currently available equipment for pressure/transient pressure monitoring
•  Cover factors to consider for installing and maintaining a pressure monitoring system

•  Review causes and effects of corrosion on metallic pipelines
•  Understand the various corrosion tests conducted in the field and laboratory
•  Understand how cathodic protection systems work
•  Learn how to employ anode retrofits as a rehabilitation measure for service connections

Module 2 – Choosing Inspection Methods and Technologies to Fit Your Needs (Day 2)

•  Evaluate inspection methods and technologies for pressure pipelines
•  Consider various factors when selecting an inspection method
•  Choose when and how to apply external corrosion direct assessment (ECDA) methods for
• metallic cylinder and direct assessment methods for concrete pipe and mortar coating

•  Understand deterioration processes for asbestos cement (AC) pipe and plastic pipe, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe
•  Learn which inspection methods and technologies may be useful for non-metallic pipe

•  Address and discuss reasons for employing “lower effort” inspection methods and measurements
•  Review commonly used tools for metallic pipe (CI, DI, steel) and concrete pressure pipe (CCP, RCCP, PCCP)
•  Cover access requirements, civil site work and field support requirements, cost, and results

•  Discuss “when” and “why” you would want to use a high-resolution inspection method
•  Cover methods you may be familiar with (ultrasonics, magnetic flux leakage, electromagnetics)
•  Discuss electromagnetic technology (principle, tools, applicability to different pipe types, deployment options, access requirements, verification of inspection results)

Module 3 – Budgeting and Planning for Condition Assessments (Day 3)

•  Review typical databases of record for storing condition assessment data
•  Discuss and learn best practices and guidelines to identify the right database of record for your next condition assessment project

•  Identity the four parties involved in contracts for pipeline condition assessment projects and programs
•  Evaluate contracting options at your utility for procuring engineering, inspection, and contractor services
•  Apply rules and contracting preferences at your utility to identify and select the preferred contracting mechanism(s) for YOUR utility, based on 1) availability and capabilities of in-house
• resources, and 2) available contracting vehicles for procuring outside services

•  Increase your confidence in preparing a realistic budget for your pipeline condition assessment project
•  Apply what you’ve learned about inspection methods, executing field inspections, and contracting options to ensure all costs are accounted for and estimated accurately
•  Learn some cost-saving techniques to reduce the budget needed for your pipeline condition assessment project

•  After inspection is complete, learn how to effectively communicate the value of condition assessments to 1) external or non-technical stakeholders, and 2) internal or technical
• stakeholders, in an effort to sustain program momentum
•  Hear how other utilities have successfully justified condition assessment expenditures to management and stakeholders
• Solutions to Utility-Specific Challenges and Concerns
•  Obtain answers to your specific problems, challenges, concerns, or hurdles
•  Use individual projects brought to the Seminar by the Participants as sample problems for the group to solve
•  Complete individual Action Plans with help from the group or Facilitator

Coming in Spring 2023!

Please check back soon for details, we are currently planning an in-person Seminar for March 2023.

Register by deadline for Early rates:

*Registration fee also includes optional complimentary PDF version of AWWA's Manual M77: Condition Assessment of Water Mains (PDF). You may add this to your cart during registration for no additional fee - simply click the 'Add' button next to M77 when asked to choose session, then click Next.