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Preparation for Depressurization: How to Survive a Major Water Main Break

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Dan Barr
Dan Barr

1) A 16-inch water transmission main supplying 70% of the City of Delaware's water broke on December 28, 2006, causing water pressure to drop rapidly across large portions of the city. 2) City and contractor response included isolating the break, making emergency connections, notifying residents, and using a calibrated water model to evaluate system impacts and guide response decisions. 3) Lessons learned included the need for more elevated storage, additional main lines, improved quality control of utility locate tickets, and continued use of calibrated models to reinforce system resilience prior to potential breaks.

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Preparation for Depressurization: How to Survive a Major Water Main Break Dr. Thomas Marshall, PE City of Delaware Dan Barr, PE Burgess & Niple, Inc.
Objectives of this Presentation 1) Present a case study of a recent major water main failure in the City of Delaware in order to provide insight into proper response and lessons learned 2) To learn the advantages of a having a calibrated water model during a water main break
Case Study City of Delaware 16” Transmission Line Break Dr. Thomas Marshall, PE City of Delaware
Case Study City of Delaware 16” Transmission Line Break of December 2005 Introduction Background Logistics and Response Lessons Learned
Case Study: Introduction City of Delaware, Ohio is located approximately 30 miles north of Columbus Established in 1856, the community has aging infrastructure in addition to a recent surge in growth – one of the highest growth areas in the nation Projects currently under contract total over $75M and include a wastewater plant expansion, elevated water tower construction, multiple water, storm and sewer line projects, and water treatment plant expansion planning
Case Study: Background 12/28/06 11:15 A.M. Contractor snags 16” transmission main which supplies 70% of the City’s water The other 16” main supplying the City dates back to the 1800s and will convey less than 30% of the City’s 6 MGD average daily demand The level in both of the City’s 1 million gallon elevated storage tanks began dropping rapidly Major portions of town were experiencing lower water pressures
Case Study: Background OUPS ticket was misread, wrong line was marked Line was not shown on project plans Multiple pipeline projects were in progress in the area Line located in the back of the Delaware County Fairgrounds – 6’ to 8’ of debris and backfill was placed over line since installation City, contractor, engineers, and EPA very short staffed due to Christmas Holiday
Case Study: Logistics and Response The following steps were taken within approximately 30 minutes of the failure: Distribution Superintendent was informed of incident Water plant operator, support staff, police, fire and City officials were immediately informed Incident command center was established at the site – crews were called in to respond OEPA was notified and consulted Burgess & Niple was contacted to evaluate the impact of the break using the distribution model
Case Study: Logistics and Response Steps that followed: Immediate efforts focused on isolating failure Emergency connection to adjacent water purveyor was activated City officials implemented reverse 911 emergency system for affected customers Media outlets advised Ongoing Water Model and field data collection Ongoing OEPA communication Elevated storage tanks still draining at an alarming rate
Case Study: Logistics and Response Steps that followed (continued) Break was isolated – This was complicated by connections to the line that were not shown on old, inaccurate subdivision plans. Elevated storage tower elevations perilously low A plan for repairing and disinfecting the line was developed with guidance from OEPA Repair was made Disinfection plan was implemented
Case Study: Logistics and Response Disinfection Approach HTH was used to super-chlorinate the 2250 feet of depressurized main for 30 minutes Samples were taken and analyzed for chlorine residual at both ends of the isolated segment of main after 30 and 90 minutes Chlorine residual values of the 30 and 90 minute samples were compared – values were unchanged A reduction in chlorine residual from the 30 to 90 minute samples would indicate more time was needed for disinfection Isolated segment of main was flushed for 30 minutes Samples were taken again – chlorine residual was at normal value Line was placed back in service
Case Study: Lessons Learned Delaware needs more elevated storage! (2 MGD under construction) Delaware needs addition main lines (24” in design) Improve quality assurance on OUPS tickets Work toward a GIS-based line and valve mapping system
Case Study: Lessons Learned Work closely and early with OEPA during major events Reverse 911 automated calling works with about 80% effectiveness It is very helpful to have a previously calibrated water distribution model
The Advantages of a Calibrated Water Model During (and Before) a Water Main Break Dan Barr, PE Burgess & Niple, Inc.
What Are the Advantages? A calibrated water model can: Determine the impact of a leak Determine the impact of an out of service main Help decipher abnormal results from the incident Reinforce the system before a break occurs
Determining the Impact of a Leak To determine the impact of a leak: Enter the leak into the model as a large demand at the main break location Use a variety of leak estimates to determine the significance of the impact including fire flow analysis tools
Determining the Impact of a Leak (cont.) To determine the impact of a leak: Use the model to determine the lowest pressures in the system – local and system-wide. Useful when determining boil alert locations If the leak can’t be isolated quickly, use the model to predict how the distribution system will perform under high leak demands over time
Determining the Impact of an Out-of-Service Main This can be done by: Closing the affected pipe in the model Running simulations over time to determine how well the elevated storage tanks fill and drain. After the main is isolated and the leakage stopped, the model can predict the system’s performance when the main is out of service.
Deciphering Abnormal Results from the Incident Locate unknown, previously closed valves Locate unknown pipe connections Identify if valves are incorrectly closed Discover multiple leaks When the model results do not align with the field results, use the model to:
Optimizing the System Before a Break Complete the activities mentioned previously in advance Use results from trial runs and leak simulations to determine the best corrective actions Study the distribution system and identify/correct the weak points before a major break occurs
Summary Mistakes Lost water Customer boil alerts Using calibrated water models during a water main break can minimize:
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Preparation for Depressurization: How to Survive a Major Water Main Break

  • 1. Preparation for Depressurization: How to Survive a Major Water Main Break Dr. Thomas Marshall, PE City of Delaware Dan Barr, PE Burgess & Niple, Inc.
  • 2. Objectives of this Presentation 1) Present a case study of a recent major water main failure in the City of Delaware in order to provide insight into proper response and lessons learned 2) To learn the advantages of a having a calibrated water model during a water main break
  • 3. Case Study City of Delaware 16” Transmission Line Break Dr. Thomas Marshall, PE City of Delaware
  • 4. Case Study City of Delaware 16” Transmission Line Break of December 2005 Introduction Background Logistics and Response Lessons Learned
  • 5. Case Study: Introduction City of Delaware, Ohio is located approximately 30 miles north of Columbus Established in 1856, the community has aging infrastructure in addition to a recent surge in growth – one of the highest growth areas in the nation Projects currently under contract total over $75M and include a wastewater plant expansion, elevated water tower construction, multiple water, storm and sewer line projects, and water treatment plant expansion planning
  • 6. Case Study: Background 12/28/06 11:15 A.M. Contractor snags 16” transmission main which supplies 70% of the City’s water The other 16” main supplying the City dates back to the 1800s and will convey less than 30% of the City’s 6 MGD average daily demand The level in both of the City’s 1 million gallon elevated storage tanks began dropping rapidly Major portions of town were experiencing lower water pressures
  • 7. Case Study: Background OUPS ticket was misread, wrong line was marked Line was not shown on project plans Multiple pipeline projects were in progress in the area Line located in the back of the Delaware County Fairgrounds – 6’ to 8’ of debris and backfill was placed over line since installation City, contractor, engineers, and EPA very short staffed due to Christmas Holiday
  • 8. Case Study: Logistics and Response The following steps were taken within approximately 30 minutes of the failure: Distribution Superintendent was informed of incident Water plant operator, support staff, police, fire and City officials were immediately informed Incident command center was established at the site – crews were called in to respond OEPA was notified and consulted Burgess & Niple was contacted to evaluate the impact of the break using the distribution model
  • 9. Case Study: Logistics and Response Steps that followed: Immediate efforts focused on isolating failure Emergency connection to adjacent water purveyor was activated City officials implemented reverse 911 emergency system for affected customers Media outlets advised Ongoing Water Model and field data collection Ongoing OEPA communication Elevated storage tanks still draining at an alarming rate
  • 10. Case Study: Logistics and Response Steps that followed (continued) Break was isolated – This was complicated by connections to the line that were not shown on old, inaccurate subdivision plans. Elevated storage tower elevations perilously low A plan for repairing and disinfecting the line was developed with guidance from OEPA Repair was made Disinfection plan was implemented
  • 11. Case Study: Logistics and Response Disinfection Approach HTH was used to super-chlorinate the 2250 feet of depressurized main for 30 minutes Samples were taken and analyzed for chlorine residual at both ends of the isolated segment of main after 30 and 90 minutes Chlorine residual values of the 30 and 90 minute samples were compared – values were unchanged A reduction in chlorine residual from the 30 to 90 minute samples would indicate more time was needed for disinfection Isolated segment of main was flushed for 30 minutes Samples were taken again – chlorine residual was at normal value Line was placed back in service
  • 12. Case Study: Lessons Learned Delaware needs more elevated storage! (2 MGD under construction) Delaware needs addition main lines (24” in design) Improve quality assurance on OUPS tickets Work toward a GIS-based line and valve mapping system
  • 13. Case Study: Lessons Learned Work closely and early with OEPA during major events Reverse 911 automated calling works with about 80% effectiveness It is very helpful to have a previously calibrated water distribution model
  • 14. The Advantages of a Calibrated Water Model During (and Before) a Water Main Break Dan Barr, PE Burgess & Niple, Inc.
  • 15. What Are the Advantages? A calibrated water model can: Determine the impact of a leak Determine the impact of an out of service main Help decipher abnormal results from the incident Reinforce the system before a break occurs
  • 16. Determining the Impact of a Leak To determine the impact of a leak: Enter the leak into the model as a large demand at the main break location Use a variety of leak estimates to determine the significance of the impact including fire flow analysis tools
  • 17. Determining the Impact of a Leak (cont.) To determine the impact of a leak: Use the model to determine the lowest pressures in the system – local and system-wide. Useful when determining boil alert locations If the leak can’t be isolated quickly, use the model to predict how the distribution system will perform under high leak demands over time
  • 18. Determining the Impact of an Out-of-Service Main This can be done by: Closing the affected pipe in the model Running simulations over time to determine how well the elevated storage tanks fill and drain. After the main is isolated and the leakage stopped, the model can predict the system’s performance when the main is out of service.
  • 19. Deciphering Abnormal Results from the Incident Locate unknown, previously closed valves Locate unknown pipe connections Identify if valves are incorrectly closed Discover multiple leaks When the model results do not align with the field results, use the model to:
  • 20. Optimizing the System Before a Break Complete the activities mentioned previously in advance Use results from trial runs and leak simulations to determine the best corrective actions Study the distribution system and identify/correct the weak points before a major break occurs
  • 21. Summary Mistakes Lost water Customer boil alerts Using calibrated water models during a water main break can minimize: