(A) The subdivider shall be responsible for and pay all costs associated with testing pressure mains. After a section of pipe has been laid and partly backfilled, all newly laid pipe or any valved sections of it shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure equal to 50% more than the operating pressure at the lowest elevation of the pipe section, but not to exceed the pressure rating of the type of pipe specified or the thrust-restraint design pressure. The test pressure shall not vary by more than five psi for the duration of the test. Each pressure test shall be not less than one hour and the contractor shall allow the system to stabilize at the test pressure before conducting a leakage test. The basic provisions of AWWA Standard C-600, Installation of Ductile-Iron Water Mains and Their Appurtenances, shall apply.
(B) Each section of pipe to be tested (at no more than 1,000-foot intervals), as determined by the developer’s engineer, shall be slowly filled with water and the specified test pressure shall be applied by means of a pump connected to the pipe in a satisfactory manner. The pump, pipe connection, and all necessary apparatus including gauges and meters shall be furnished by the contractor. Before applying the specified test pressure, all air shall be expelled from the pipe and valves. When hydrants are in the test section, the test shall be made against closed hydrant valves. To accomplish this, taps shall be made, if necessary, at points of highest elevation and afterwards tightly plugged. Any damaged or defective pipes, fittings, valves, or hydrants discovered in consequence of this pressure test shall be removed and replaced by the subdivider and the test shall be repeated until satisfactory to the Village Engineer.
(C) The developer’s engineer and a representative from the village shall witness each test. The developer’s engineer shall record the results of each test, state whether the results were satisfactory or not, and have all who witnessed the test sign these report.
(D) During the pressure test, a leakage test shall be conducted to determine the quantity of water lost by leakage under the specified test pressure. The subdivider shall be responsible for and pay all costs associated with leakage testing.
LEAKAGE shall be defined as the quantity of water that must be supplied into newly laid pipe or any valved section thereof to maintain pressure within five psi of the test pressure after the pipe has been filled with water and the air has been expelled. Leakage shall not be measured by a drop in pressure in a test section over a period of time. Duration of each leakage test shall be a minimum of one hour in addition to the pressure test period.
(E) (1) The maximum allowable leakage in gallons per hour for a pipeline shall not exceed that amount determined by the formula:
L= (N * D * square root of P) / 7400 where: L= Allowable leakage in gallons per hour N= Number of joints in the length of pipeline tested D= Nominal diameter of the pipe in inches and P= Average test pressure during leakage test, in psig |
(2) When testing against closed metal-seated valves, an additional leakage per closed valve of .0078 gph per inch of nominal valve size shall be allowed.
(F) Acceptance of a section of watermain shall be determined on the basis of allowable leakage. If any test of laid pipe discloses leakage greater than that specified above, the subdivider shall locate and make repairs as necessary until the leakage is within the specified allowance.
(G) The developer’s engineer and a representative of the village shall witness these tests. The developer’s engineer shall record the results of these tests, state whether the results were satisfactory or not, and have all who witnessed the test sign these reports.
(Ord. 97-7, passed 7-1-1997, § 5.17)