(A) After the pipe is laid, including laterals and the joints completed, hydrostatic tests shall be performed. The contractor shall backfill the trench before performing the tests. Should any section fail to meet the requirements, the contractor shall be responsible to locate the faulty section and make the necessary repairs at his or her own expense. The hydrostatic tests shall be conducted in accordance with AAWA C-600. The hydrostatic tests shall consist of a pressure test. Prior to the pressure test, all air shall be expelled from the pipe by means of taps located at points of highest elevation or as necessary. Such taps shall afterward be tightly plugged. The test shall consist of completely filling the section of main under observation with water applied by means of a pump connected to the pipe in a satisfactory manner. The test pressure shall be at 150% of the maximum operating pressure for a period of one hour. The allowable pressure drop during the test period shall be 5% of the test pressure.
(B) After the required pressure has been obtained, exposed pipe joints, fittings and valves shall be carefully examined. Visible leaks shall be stopped by tightening bolts if necessary or disassembling, cleaning and reassembling joints. Cracked or defective pipe, fittings or valves disclosed under the pressure test shall be replaced by the contractor with sound material and the test shall be repeated until the test results are satisfactory.
(C) Bacteria testing shall be conducted by utility; contractor to pay for cost of testing.
(D) The contractor shall provide all test pumps, test plugs, pipes and gauges and shall make all required piping connections. The cost of all testing shall be incidental to the lineal foot price of installed water main. See § 3.07 of this chapter.