El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU)
Pipe Diameter: 48"
Pipe Type: PCCP
Distance Inspected: Approx. 1 mile
Service: PipeRider™- Remote Field Transformer Coupling (RFTC) and Acoustic Emission Testing
In the year 2000, El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) was able to meet the demands of its 161,000 customer accounts by pumping 40 billion gallons of water through its 2,200 miles of water transmission mains. As a result of concerns raised over its long-term ability to continue this level of pumping, EPWU implemented a water conservation strategy which emphasized promoting water conservation, increasing the use of Rio Grande water, and implementing the reuse of reclaimed water. By 2003, despite market growth to 178,000 customers, pumping had decreased to 37 billion gallons.
Determined to lead the way in water conservation, in 2003 EPWU went one step further and contracted with the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) to assess the condition of portions of its 48" PCCP pipelines. Accordingly, in February 2003 PPIC evaluated the condition of approximately one mile of the Cross City Feeder Main using its Remote Field Transformer Coupling (RFTC) technology. This technique established the baseline condition of each of the 344 inspected pipes and provided EPWU with the location, distribution and number of wire breaks in each pipe.
In March 2003, PPIC & EPWU continued this condition based asset management program, using the Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) technique to monitor the condition of 3 miles of Phase II of the Cross City Transmission Main, which could not be dewatered. This technique established the level of active distress in the line and provided EPWU with the frequency and number of observed wire-related events.
In December 2003, PPIC continued this monitoring program by evaluating the condition of Phase I and Phase II of the Canutillo Well Flowline. Initially, as with the March monitoring program, PPIC planned to conduct the test using a series of hydrophones. After Phase I of the testing commenced, it became apparent that additional testing locations would be necessary. Accelerometers were used to eliminate the need to hot tap the pipeline allowing 100% testing coverage of the pipe. Upon analysis of the data, PPIC was able to identify a number of acoustically active pipes.
EPWU is using the information gleaned from this condition based asset management program to prioritize its capital expenditures and selectively rehabilitate individual pipes. By re-establishing the integrity of its pipelines, EPWU is confident that it will be able to meet the demands upon its water supply system.
EPWU is expanding this condition based approach to asset management. Its next step is to utilize Sahara® to identify leaks in its water transmission mains.