Distribution System Operations & Maintenance
Distribution System Operations & Maintenance
The operation and maintenance of water distribution systems includes maintenance of water quality, system management programs, and operation and maintenance of facilities. Explore AWWA’s extensive manuals and standards on this topic to develop a complete program for the management, operation, and maintenance of a small, medium-sized, or large water distribution system.
Resources
ANSI/AWWA C810 Replacement and Flushing of Lead Service Lines
The current debate surrounding revisions to the US Lead and Copper Rule has focused more attention on lead service lines (LSL), because if the water delivered through a lead pipe is unstable, lead can leach into the water and ultimately reach customers’ taps.
The data shows that particulate lead can still be present after LSL replacement, and that flushing the line, as described in Standard C810, is instrumental in reducing the lead level at the consumer’s tap. AWWA’s Standards Subcommittee on Lead Service Lines developed the AWWA Standard ANSI/AWWA C810: Replacement and Flushing of Lead Service Lines.
Technical Resources
Manuals
AWWA Standards
M6 Water Meters — Selection, Installation, Testing And Maintenance
M6 provides a complete practice manual on types, selection, use, and maintenance of water meters for water service.
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M14 Backflow Prevention And Cross-Connection Control: Recommended Practices
This manual describes the causes and prevention of backflow and cross-connections in potable water systems.
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M17 Fire Hydrants: Installation, Field Testing, And Maintenance
A thorough discussion of wet-barrel and dry-barrel hydrants, including installation and testing.
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M22 Sizing Water Service Lines And Meters
M22 provides a new approach for sizing residential water meters and adjusts the sizing curves for nonresidential meters.
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M25 Geomembrane Floating Covers And Liners For Potable-Water Reservoirs,
Operations manual for the selection and use of geomembrane linings and floating covers in water storage facilities.
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Events With a Focus on Distribution System Operations & Maintenance
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Related Resources
What Are the Top 10 Best Practices for Maintaining a Healthy Hydrant?
Fire hydrants are critical infrastructure that need to function on a moment’s notice. Water utilities are usually responsible for keeping hydrants in working order, thus it’s crucial for utilities to ensure proper hydrant function using a testing and maintenance program.
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Consider the Top Ten Best Practices for Control Valve Operation
Control valves play a key role in distribution system stability, customer service, and infrastructure maintenance. Operators should expand their understanding of how the valves work with other equipment in the system.
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Take an Asset Management Approach to Concrete Tank Coatings
A utility district changed its approach to concrete water storage tank maintenance by establishing an asset management program for improved tank coating and maintenance.
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Routine Maintenance Prolongs a Storage Tank’s Life
When it comes to water storage tanks, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. Proper and regular maintenance through inspections, repainting, cleanouts, and accessory upkeep can save money, avoid emergencies, and significantly increase a tank’s life expectancy.
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Improve Customer Communication for Better Cross-Connection Control
Although backflow assembly tests are essential, the public doesn’t know much about them. But water utilities can educate consumers about backflow tests and cross-connection threats while strengthening trust in drinking water providers.
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Research Sheds Light on Age‐Old Problem of Meter and Service Line Sizing
A study by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) measured high-resolution water demands in US buildings to reexamine and offer guidance on meter sizing approaches and building plumbing.
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21st‐Century Water Meters Maximize Precision
Water meters determine the success of any water system. Today’s smart, long-lasting meters have raised the bar on technology that has evolved dramatically in the past decade.
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What is Water Hammer, and Why Does it Matter?
A sudden pressure increase of fluid in a pipe, called water hammer, can cause pipes to burst or collapse. With adequate knowledge and training, and by selecting the right equipment, the costly damage from water hammer is preventable.
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Evolving Utility Practices and Experiences with Corrosion Control
A 2019 US corrosion control survey benchmarks recent utility perspectives before the release of the proposed LCR revisions, providing insight on regulatory impacts. Rates of orthophosphate use continue to increase, and the results add to evidence that orthophosphate is effective for controlling lead release. The primary challenge facing utilities is coordinating compliance sample collection, and the greatest priority is ensuring optimal corrosion control treatment.
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A 30‐year review of copper pitting corrosion and pinhole leaks: Achievements and research gaps
Despite decades of research, the pitting of copper pipes is poorly understood. This article summarizes the key research findings from 1990 to the present and identifies research gaps. Several lines of evidence suggest that, for soft waters, additional alkalinity or maintaining a pH <8.5 may reduce copper pitting. Phosphate corrosion inhibitors, used to prevent lead corrosion, may also moderate copper pitting in low-alkalinity waters. However, such inhibitors could also exacerbate pitting due to insufficient coverage or could increase biological growth. Biological processes are likely involved in pitting corrosion, and practices to reduce biological growth may be beneficial. The research gaps identified include a need for better benchmarking, the effects of chemical transients (e.g., chlorine burns) and of hydraulic transients (e.g., water hammer), and changing the residual disinfectant from chlorine to chloramine.
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AWWA Policy Statements
AWWA’s policy statements are brief statements on protecting and improving water supply, water quality, management, and the interests of the public and the environment. They are written by consensus, subject to review and comment by AWWA committees, councils, and members. Because they represent AWWA’s position on these matters, they are approved by the AWWA Executive Committee of the board of directors.
Technical Committee Engagement
AWWA members are recognized globally for their industry expertise and their generosity in sharing that expertise for a better world through better water. AWWA members participate in committee activities, developing conference programs, writing technical manuals, developing standards, creating educational content, and contributing to AWWA publications. Committee members primarily interact through conference calls, emails, and face-to-face meetings at conferences and events.
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