PVC Leak Detection
Jason Phillips (City of St. John-s)

The City of St. Johnes started a water distribution system leak detection program in 2006 with 2 temporary employees, this program has since grown to its current format consisting of 4 full-time permanent employees. These employees are responsible for identifying and locating leaks within the Cityes water distribution system. Since the inception of this program, the Cityes annual water usage has been reduced from a peak of 98 MLD to an average of 68 MLD, a savings of approximately 30 MLD. The Cityes water distribution system is primarily constructed from metallic watermains cast iron and ductile iron, however since 2009 the construction of PVC watermains has been permitted. The experience of locating water leaks on various pipe materials has provided the techniques that can be applied when locating leaks on PVC watermains.

The presentation will review various techniques used for leak detection of water systems and how they can be applied to identifying leaks on PVC watermains. The techniques and procedures used in the process will be discussed referencing a case study of a subdivision within the City of St. Johnes that was constructed entirely of PVC watermains. Over the past year this area was identified as having increased water consumption and it was suspected that there was a leak within the system. Upon investigation, the leak detection crews were successful in locating 3 water leaks in this area. The results of these investigations will highlight the best practices for identifying potential water loss in water distribution systems consisting of PVC watermains. The presentation would be beneficial to water distribution system operators to understand leak detection techniques and recommended procedures for PVC Leak Detection.

This presentation will be in the form of a technical presentation for the category of Water Distribution.