water quality and system

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some main line failures have occurred when the tap was improperly installed and the main line completely failed, causing a major flood and an outage in the water line. In addition, there have been significant failures because a hot tap was installed as a short-term measure with the intent to go back and make it more permanent when the main line was shut down for maintenance. Years later, corrosion cause the clamps of the hot tap to fail, resulting in a failure of the main line.

Figure 14-2.

A saddle tap installing an instrument probe. Saddle taps can be used to attach a new line to an existing one without shutting off and draining the existing line.

For some small lines under low pressure¾-inch or smaller and less than 25-45 psiit is possible to work the entire operation "wet" provided there is a place for the water to run that does not damage the facility. The pipe is cut, allowed to spray, and the new joints and valves added working around the pipe while spraying. This type of tap is not often done, and usually when it is done it is the result of a mistake by someone somewhere, but it still can be done. Advance planning is the best tool to prevent this type of work being done on an emergency basis.

Since wastewater lines are not usually pressure lines, a hot tap is not used. A simple tee is cut into the line instead and the wastewater allowed to drain while the new tee is installed. Hot taps for supply or wastewater have the potential to be "wet" operations and equipment such as mops, buckets, pump drains, raincoats and safety glasses should be ready before the hot tap takes place.

Utility Shutdown

Depending upon the service and the time of day, it may be more attractive to shut down the system rather than to try to hot tap it. For the facility manager, a utility shutdown should be coordinated in advance with the occupants and if they are told of the advantage of the shutdown ahead of time, most occupants will cooperate.

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The facility manager should exercise caution when shutting down water systems because the occupants could be in a situation where loss of water could contribute to a serious problems for them. Fortunately, water and wastewater utility shutdowns are not as critical as power outages, but the same principals apply. Some facilities, notably hospitals, require signatures of the various services before the facility manager can turn off one or more utilities. This allows the various divisions to take steps ahead of time to mitigate the impacts of the water system shutdown.

Freeze Plug

Commonly used when a valve for shutoff is not available, a commercial electric blanket that works on refrigeration principles is wrapped around a pipe. When the blanket is turned on, it freezes the pipe along with the water inside, plugging it. Downstream the pipe can be cut or tapped while the plug is in place. When complete, the cold blanket is turned off and as the ice melts, the water can flow again. A few problems with freeze plugs are that the plug can damage some kinds of pipei.e., split it because the ice expands. Another problem sometimes encountered is that the freeze plug does not holdthat is, it slips under the pressure of the water upstream and blows out the end of the cut pipe.

Balloon Plug

Similar to the freeze plug, a balloon plug is sometimes used. A small hole is drilled into the pipe as a hot tap and a rubber or plastic balloon is inserted through the hole and into the pipe. The balloon is filled with air and chokes off the pipe flow.

Unplugging

Fortunately, water supply pipes rarely get plugged because of the filtering and quality requirements. As supply water piping is pressurized, plugging reduces flows at faucets or toilets and results in an occupant complaint. Locating the plug is relatively simple, but a system shutdown is necessary to remove the plug. Sometimes on smaller lines, the plugged section is identified and hot taps are located on either side of the plug, new pipe is run between the hot taps and the plugged pipe is abandoned in place.

Wastewater pipe is known to plug more often because of the

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solid materials carried in the flow. In addition, stringed items such as dental floss contribute to plugging. Fortunately, wastewater piping is not pressurized and clogs are removed with wire coil called a snake. Many plumbing firms are willing to be called out on a 24-hour basis and snake sewer lines for a fixed or hourly fee. Depending upon the number of incidents at a facility, this type of service can be contracted out or the staff can buy the necessary equipment and use it when needed.

Plugging wastewater lines can be traced to a repeated practice. At one facility, the sewer lines were old and ran close to a large tree. In the spring, the sewer line always backed up until the facility manager was able to locate a chemical that discouraged root growth. The chemical was put into the piping and the roots from the tree ceased to be a problem. Facility managers should be careful when adding a root herbicide to the wastewater, however, since it can also affect operations at the sewerage treatment plant.

Camera Inspection

For buried outside waste water lines, it is common practice to conduct a camera survey of the lines every five years or so. This type of service is usually contracted to a few firms that specialize in this type of service.

A Word Of Caution About Contracting Out

Many Unions and labor organizations are opposed to having services that have historically been done in-house contracted to people or companies from outside the facility. Most of these facilities operate under a contract that exists between labor and management and agreements have been made ahead of time as to what services are going to be contracted and which are not. If the craft have been given a strong sense of ownership, they will be just as interested in contracting out special services as the management. However, if it appears that management intends to contract out services such that people's functions and responsibilities are threatened, the facility manager will have tough sledding. Usually, the facility manager does not want to get involved in a labor battle. The facility manager should try to determine if this concern exists before making a decision to contract out services.

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Figure 14-3.

A typical camera used for pipe inspections.

Courtesy: Aries Industries, Inc., Sussex, WI.

Figure 14-3 shows a typical camera and Figure 14-4 shows a typical truck rigged for the operation.

A small camera is either pulled through the wastewater pipe or the camera itself is mounted on a small tractor that crawls through the pipe. The camera provides a cable feed to the suppliers truck where the camera view is videotaped.

The survey can analyze to tapes with data and a report, or the tapes can be provided to the facility manager alone. Often, the service company is able to provide, as digital input directly on the videotape, the information indicating where the camera is positioned. The service is useful in locating leaks, breaks and other operational problems with sewer lines.

Leak Detection

Similar to the camera inspection service, special companies will provide for leak detection as well. Leaks present in a system account for reduced pressures and flows and lead to increased costs. Sometimes, these leaks can go undetected because the piping is

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Figure 14-4.

Typical truck rigged for camera inspection.

Courtesy: Aries Industries, Inc., Sussex, WI.

below ground or located in an area where it cannot be physically inspected. Leaks can also be detected using methods discussed in Chapter 13.

The special leak detection firms use sound detection devices to listen for the leaks. Other methods include addition of inert materials to the water that can be detected but are not considered contaminants. If the system can be shut down for an extended period and drained, a tracer gas can be used to pinpoint the source of leaks. Tracer gas can be sophisticated gas such as helium or sulfur hexafluoride or even a simple odorant.

The odorant in fuel gases is called methyl mercaptan, but its use is somewhat regulated since the odor is the odor of leaking fuel gas, and confusion may arise because occupants will suspect a fuel gas leak.

Pipe Spools

In some facilities, valves are ordered and are delivered late, or valves have to be removed for service because they leak. Since these

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valves are sometimes expensive, the facility does not want to go to the expense of purchasing a second valve while the first is repaired.

In this case, a small pipe spool piece is made up, exactly the length and diameter of the valve. The line is plugged on either side using freeze or balloon plugs, and the valve removed. The spool is put into the place of the valve while the valve is taken into the shop and overhauled.

While the valve is being repaired, the plugs are removed and the line placed back into service. When the valve repair is complete, the same process is done in reverse to remove the spool and put the valve back in.

This only works if the valve to be changed is a service valve used to isolate a portion of a system. If the valves constantly regulate flows, then another arrangement has to be made by renting, borrowing or purchasing a spare valve. The size and bolt patterns must match, of course.

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Chapter 15

Managing Water Personnel

From routine maintenance and operations to renovating or building a water system, the facility manager will react and sometimes coordinate both his own staff and a diverse range of trades and professions. In this chapter, we will review the key people the facility manager will deal with on water projects, as well as discuss ways the facility, manager can keep abreast off new products, legislation and technology.

The Facility Manager

The facility manager manages both the people who work on the water system and the system itself. His role is to integrate the water system, his staff and the necessary repair equipment to provide water to occupants that is safe and cost-effective. If the water is used for drinking and bathing, it should meet cleanliness standards. For other applications, it should meet the intended purpose. Wastewater should drain freely to the sewage treatment plant or sanitary sewer where it can flow to the sewage plant.

Stormwater runoff should carry over to storm drains or stormwater ponds. The ponds should hold the water, allow it to be released slowly so it can be used by others, or allow it to be reused by the facility or wasted into a river in a safe environmentally sound manner.

The facility manager will pay for water used, pay for electricity to pump the water, pay plumbers and pipe fitters for working on the

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system. In addition, the facility manager will pay for laboratories to test the water to make sure it is safe (or he may have a laboratory on site where he does his own tests) and he will pay for sewage treatment.

To accomplish each of these goals, the facility manager will work with people. This chapter discusses some to the people the facility manager will work with, their approximate levels of training and expertise.

Note that a discussion of this type has a margin of error because we are talking about people and not about things. Generally speaking, water professionals like what they do. They have achieved success and are proud that their work is used and depended upon by many people. A good facility manager recognizes this trait and seeks to create an environment where the skills of the water system professionals can shine.

Water Professionals

Key water professionals the facility manager will come into contact with include designers, planners, lab technicians, plumbers, pipefitters, contractors, plant operators and representatives of equipment manufacturers.

Designers

Water system designers include engineers, technicians and estimators. Employees or consultants with this expertise are usually well educated, the engineers with a fouror five-year degree, the technicians with a four-year science degree or a two-year associate degree from technical school.

These professionals will write contracts and prepare drawings from master specifications and drawing guidelines. The facility manager relies upon their creativity, technical expertise and judgment for a reliable product.

In addition to the years of training, some of the engineers will be registered. Registration requires application through a state board, a degree and passing both a fundamental and practical examination. Registered engineers use an embossed stamp, like a notary, to stamp drawings to certify the project meets professional codes or standards.

Many cities and governments require that public water systems be designed by qualified designers. Usually, this requirement means

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registered professional engineers. The licensing state will provide a list of engineers to facility managers who request them. Registered professional engineers are subject to rules relating to conflicts of interest and competition.

Designers' tools include computers and software, engineering texts and design manuals, materials for preparing drawings which include Computer Aided Design (CAD or ACAD) software, computers, monitors and plotters. Other tools include typewriters and text generating materials such as printers, copy machines and a drafting board where drawings can be laid out and edited.

Planners

Planners can be technicians and licensed or unlicensed engineers, or they can be members of the facility manager's staff. Planners do not have to be licensed, although they can be. Some engineering firms specialize in planning and offer it as a service as well as detailed design work.

Planning is best done by employees of the facility since they are most familiar with the goals and objectives of the facility. In general, contracted planners tend to focus on one area they have had success with in the past. Some specialize in growth, others in conservation. Planners' tools include telecommunications equipment, text-generating equipment (computer word processors, printers and copy machines), computers that prepare mathematical models, and texts and manuals. Planners usually subscribe to a magazine about planning and project management.

Lab Technicians

Lab technicians collect and analyze facility water samples. Samples do not necessarily have to be collected by lab technicians themselvesthe facility manager can arrange to have one of his staff trained to take the samples. Once the samples are collected, they are analyzed in a laboratory.

Depending upon the complexity of the tests, lab analysis can be very expensive. See Chapter 8 for the time and costs typically involved in performing various tests. Lab technicians carefully measure and analyze the results.

Lab personnel can have up to eight years of college and several levels of science degrees. Lab technicians have 2-4 years of college. Some work shifts and odd hours depending upon the needs of the laboratory.

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Lab tools include glassware for mixing samples; ovens and refrigerators for storing and drying samples; storage cases for lab chemicals to prepare samples for examination; and computers for generating reports and data. Some sophisticated laboratory instrumentation includes gas chromatographs, scales and chemical dyes. Microscopes are still used along with a fume hood for mixing chemicals. Drains in a laboratory must be suitable for handling the chemicals poured down them.

Not all laboratories have the necessary tools and equipment for analyzing every alternative. Labs share special equipment. Most water labs have to send samples to another laboratory for chemical analysis of one type or another. The American Water Works Association publishes the standard test methods for analyzing water samples.

Plumbers

Plumbers enter a strict apprenticeship program where they receive on-the-job training for up to four years. In this training, they learn codes and standards and various pipe cutting, fitting and fabricating techniques. Plumbers learn construction jobsite housekeeping and safety as well. Plumbers are trained to safely and efficiently operate the tools used in pipe fabrication and installation.

Tools used include saws, welders, jackstands, tape measures, level, square, plumb bob, drills, hammers, wrenches (pipe, crescent, socket, box and open end) gloves, goggles, eyeglasses, heavy boots, hard hats, helmets and face shields. For scaffold work and work above ground, safety equipment includes belts, harnesses, ropes, pulleys, chains, chain falls, wrecking bars, pry bars. On many jobs, plumbers will need to be assisted by heavy equipment such as back-hoes, front end loaders and cranes. Plumbers also install the china fixtures in rest rooms as part of finish work. Pipefitters

Pipefitters' duties are similar in many ways to plumbers, and in some areas these trades are interchangeable. Pipefitters usually install larger pipes in industrial facilities and include welders. However, not all pipefitters are qualified welders.

Pipefitters are trained in an extensive apprenticeship program that includes training in codes, standards, fabrication and jobsite housekeeping and safety.

Tools are similar to those of plumbers, except they are larger because of the larger sizes of the pipes.