What Are the Pressure

Requirements for Pipe Testing?

Q
Numerous callers to the AWWA standards
department have the same question about
the leakage test presented in AWWA
standards. Callers ask, “If the pressure has
dropped more than the allowed 5 psi, did the
installed pipe fail the test?”
Whenever a new section of pipe
and the nominal diameter of the
pipe. C600 uses the length of the
pipeline and C605 uses the number
of joints in the pipeline. Allowances
are given for valves and hydrants that
Editor's Note:
are used to isolate the test section. This PDF has been
A common misunderstanding is revised to match the
originally printed pages.

A.
is installed, it should be that the leakage test is a pressure test. It is not. It
hydrostatically tested to help is true that the pressure must be maintained
ensure that there is no excessive throughout the test, but only to drive the water
leakage. Hydrostatic testing will out through any leaks that may be in the
ensure that the job was done right. pipeline. If the test pressure were allowed to
Both the owner and the contractor can be satisfied drop, the rate of leakage would slow and you
with the work and confident that the new piping is would get a false reading of actual leakage.
not leaking more than an allowable amount. Pressure alone cannot be used for a direct
Both AWWA Standard C600, Installation of measure of leakage. There is no way to relate the
Ductile-Iron Water Mains and Their change in pressure to the change in volume as an
Appurtenances, and C605, Underground accurate direct measurement because water is an
Installation of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pressure incompressible fluid.
Pipe and Fittings for Water, have a section for the All air must be expelled from the pipe for the
hydrostatic testing of test to be accurate.
installed pipe. There Never conduct the
During testing, rapid loss of pressure will usually
are some differences hydrostatic test using
between the two be due to an open valve, a cracked or broken air, which is extremely
standards, but for the pipe, or a joint that has slipped out. These leaks dangerous. Unlike
most part, the are ... located by continuing to apply pressure pressurized water,
requirements are very until the water comes to the surface. A slow drop compressed air stores
similar. In general, in pressure could mean that all the air was not energy and can act like
both standards require completely removed before testing began. a powerful bomb
that the pipeline be —Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook should the piping
pressurized with water system fail.
to the required test Hydrostatic testing
pressure and that the is an important part of
required test pressure be maintained, within 5 psi any pipe installation job. As with any
range, for the duration of the test. construction project, both the owner and the by John Wilber
To maintain the test pressure, water is pumped contractor should thoroughly understand the
into the pipe from a makeup reservoir as testing requirements before construction begins. John Wilber,
necessary. The makeup volume of water pumped For more information on hydrostatic testing, refer the former AWWA
back into the line is measured. If the amount of to AWWA C600 and C605, as well as Water Standards Program
water pumped into the piping system is equal to Transmission and Distribution, second edition, and manager, is now
the director of
or less than that allowed in the standard, the Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook, Engineering Services
pipeline has passed the test. all of which are available from the AWWA for American AVK.
The allowable leakage is calculated using the Bookstore. Call 800-926-7337, e-mail custsvc@
length of the installed pipeline, the test pressure, awwa.org, or go to the Web at <www.awwa.org>.
Opflow / March 2003 11
2003 © American Water Works Association