Hydrostatic Testing of New Water Lines

H ydrostatic (pressure) testing of new water lines

is pressurizing the water line to prove that it
does not leak. This testing is generally done before
FIGURE 1. ALLOWABLE LEAKAGE

disinfection. SD √P
L =
It is very important to remove air before hydro- 133,200
static testing a new line. This is generally accom-
plished through flushing. Air in the line may com- Where:
L = allowable leakage, in gallons per hour
press, making it difficult to get accurate test results.
S = length of pipe tested, in feet
AWWA has different standards and procedures
D = nominal (rated) diameter of the pipe, in
for each type of pipe. The most commonly used are
inches
AWWA C605-94, Underground Installation of PVC P = average test pressure during the leakage
Pressure Pipe and Fittings for Water, and C600-99, test, in pounds per square inch (gauge)
Installation of Ductile-Iron Water Mains and Their
Appurtenances. Source: AWWA C600-99
According to AWWA Standard C600-99, you
should test each valved section of new water line at
no less than 1.5 times the system pressure at the FIGURE 2. ALLOWABLE LEAKAGE
point of testing and no less than 1.25 times the sys- (PVC PIPE)
tem pressure at the highest point in the new line.
The new line must hold the test pressure to within 5
pounds per square inch (psi) for a period of 2 hours. L = ND √P
7,400
For example, a mobile home park with a maximum
working pressure of 60 psi should pressurize to at Where:
least 90 psi, and a water district with a maximum L = allowable leakage, in gallons per hour
working pressure of 80 psi should pressurize to at N = number of joints in length of pipe tested,
least 120 psi. in feet
You determine the amount of leakage in a line by D = nominal (rated) diameter of the pipe, in
measuring the amount of water that must be inches
pumped into the new main to maintain pressure P = average test pressure during the leakage
readings to within 5 psi of test pressure. (Note: test, in pounds per square inch (gauge)
Monitoring of pressure drop in a test section is not
recommended.) The allowable amount of leakage is Source: AWWA C605-94
determined by the formula in Figure 1. For PVC
pipe, use Figure 2. If the leakage is above the allow- line. AWWA publishes tables on typical allowable
able rate, you must repair the line and repeat the leakage values for various diameter pipe at common
test. You must also repair all visible leaks in the (Continued on back panel)

14 Maine Street, Box 36, Brunswick, ME 04011 • Ph: 207-729-6569 • Fax: 207-725-1497 • E-mail: mrwa@mainerwa.org • Website: www.mainerwa.org
 New Water Lines
Hydrostatic (Pressure) Testing of
Inside This Technical Bulletin:

Brunswick, ME 04011
14 Maine Street, Suite 407
Maine Rural Water Association

(Continued from front page) must be analyzed by a certified laboratory. Most

test pressures in AWWA C600-99 and C605-94 for
PVC pipe.
Contracts
Costs and project delay cost can add up quickly.
Contracts for installation of water lines should be
explicit about responsibilities for construction prac-
tices, inspection, flushing, hydrostatic (pressure)
testing, disinfection methods, disposal of highly
chlorinated water, and cost and collection of bacte-
ria samples. Remember to include a process for pro-
cedures if the new lines fail any tests.
As a quality control measure, many water sys-
tems conduct flushing, pressure testing, and collec-
tion of samples. If this work is done by the installa-
tion contractor, some systems require their person-
nel to be present. Other systems may hire a separate
contractor. Remember that the bacteria tests are
compliance samples, required by State law, and
bacteria water samples, once in the lab, take 24
hours before the analysis is complete. This may add
extra time to the total project. The correct number
of bacteria tests can add three days to a project. Un-
satisfactory tests will add additional time.
Make sure you get copies of all test results. Keep
records of who conducted the pressure tests, of the
chlorine residuals before and after disinfection, the
lab that ran the bacteria tests, and a copy of the lab
results for at least five years. The DWP can ask for
this information during a sanitary survey.
A clean work site and proper construction proce-
dures are important from a public health standpoint,
as well as a potential cost savings.
Staff from MRWA (729-6569) and the DWP
(287-2070) are available to discuss your plans for
pressure testing for compliance with the Rules. Let
us know if you need assistance.

This technical bulletin has been reviewed and approved by the

Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP). Contact the DWP at 207-287-2070.