Evaluation Of Trenchless Renewal Methods For Potable Water Distribution Pipes

Undoubtedly, potable water pipes, as part of an underground infrastructure system, play a key role in maintaining quality of life, health and well being of human kind. As these potable water pipes reach the end of their useful life, they create high maintenance costs, loss of flow capacity, decreased water quality, and increased dissatisfaction. Trenchless renewal methods (TRMs) are a medium to renew deteriorated potable water pipes, thus decreasing leakage loss, emergency maintenance costs and customer complaints. TRMs also maintain the quality of the water leaving the treatment plant. America's drinking water systems faces an annual shortfall of at least $11 Billion to replace the aging facilities that are near the end of their useful lives and to comply with existing and future federal water regulations (ASCE, 2009). Due to applicability, capabilities and limitations of specific trenchless renewal methods, it is sometimes difficult to select an appropriate method for a particular pipe conditions based on the project surface and subsurface characteristics. To assist with solving this problem, this research presents a comparison of trenchless renewal methods as well as a decision support system and a cost module to select a suitable trenchless renewal method based on the particular pipe problems and field characteristics.