AWWA STANDARDS FOR GATE VALVESAWWA C509 VS. C515 Many Engineers question the difference between the AWWA C509 Standard and the AWWA C515 Standard for resilient seated gate valves. The AWWA C509 Standard was developed based on the physical characteristics of cast or gray iron while AWWA C515 was developed based on the more robust characteristics of ductile iron.

The AWWA C509 Standard was developed in the 1980’s to formalize the design standard for resilient seated valves for water and waste water. The wall thickness was adopted from AWWA C500 which was published in 1952 for metal seated valves with the wall thickness design based on the metallurgy of cast iron. The greater strength and durability of ductile iron allowed for the the development of AWWA C515 with the reduced wall thickness while maintaining at least the same or greater resistance to internal working pressure with the added benefit of greater resistance to mechanical damage from transportation and handling.

PROGRESSING TOGETHER

Manufacturer Series/Model AWWA Standard Material

Mueller Co. A2362 C509 Full Body, Ductile Iron

A2361 C515 Reduced wall, Ductile Iron

Clow Valve Co. 2639 C509 Full Body, Ductile Iron

2640 C509 Full Body, Gray Iron

2638 C515 Reduced wall, Ductile Iron

American AVK 45 C509 Full Body, Ductile Iron

25 C509 Full Body, Gray Iron

65 C515 Reduced wall, Ductile IronAmerican Flow Control 25001-1 C515 Reduced wall, Ductile Iron

When Engineers question the difference between the AWWA C509 Standard and the C515 Standard, their concern is that the AWWA C515 Standard is for a “Thin Wall” or cheaper version of the valve, which is like the axion, “more is better.” This simply is not the case. The “reduced wall” gate valves are produced to the proven AWWA C515 Standard with working water pressure ratings the exceed AWWA C509.

C509

C515