Numerous Paths, One Destination: Comparisons of North American Condition Assessment Programs

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) sponsored a Water Research Foundation (WRF) project to update and expand the findings of WRF #4034 to quantify the impact of condition assessment programs and technology implementation on failure/deterioration rates of Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) since WRF #4034. The research project also aimed to collect successful transmission main program approaches to develop a road map for large-diameter, linear asset management programs. A key component of this research reviewed lessons learned to compare to guide other large-diameter pipeline owners. The outcome of the project is a guidance document that will enable utility managers to review a standard approach and assess other owners' approaches to determine best practices for managing their large-diameter pressure pipe inventory. The project included interviews with several utilities considered to be the pioneers of PCCP management programs to understand the best practices for management of PCCP and lessons learned over many years of implementation.