Water Supply SystemDefects & Inspection

Introduction•The water supply system is the essential

link of the water supply source and the receiver.

•It is an elaborate conveyance system that allows water to be moved through miles of piping before reaching a tap.

•Pumps allow water to move through the system ; valves allow water pressure and flow direction to be regulated along the way.

Water resources in Malaysia• Annual Rainfall

990 billion m³

• Surface runoff566 billion m³

• Evapo-transpiration360 billion m³

• Ground water recharge64 billion³

• Surface artifical storage (dams)25 billion³

• Ground water storage (aquifers)5000 million m³

Defects in Water Supply System

1) Rusting2) Leakage3) Dents & Buckles4) Blockage5) Cracks

1) Rusting / Corrosion

Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies

S: Brownish water, unclean water.

C : Old plumbing system, corrosion

or dirty supply tanks

I: Inspection of main pipeline, distribution pipe or branch pipes

R: Usage of Galvanized pipe (if necessary), scrapping by using wire brush I: Inspect for signs of corrosion and

leakage in pipe linkage

R: Change the older pipes to a new one or coat with anti corrosion paint (external)

I: Inspect for the water tank / storage

R: Clean up the water tank

2) LeakageSymptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies

S: Stoppage of supply or insufficient water pressure

or flows

C : Old plumbing system, loose fittings, leakage in the

water system after the meter or welding method

I: Inspection of leakage underground pipe

R: Determine the location of leakage using appropriate instruments I: Inspection of loose joints or fitting

in the pipelines

R: Tighten the connections by using appropriate jointing method such as welding, bolt & nuts, or rivets

I: Inspection of old pipeline

R: Change the older pipes or change to a new system which is more economic and suitable.

3) Dents & BucklesSymptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies

S: Changes in pipe shape and size

(expand in size)

C : Dents can also be caused by rocks that come in

contact with the pipe wall, and buckles are a partial

collapse of the pipe due to excessive bending or

compression

I: Inspection of pipe shapes and size; is it normal to the standard size or changes in original size

R: Clearly marking the pipeline I: Inspection of anomalies that could

result to failure of pipes

R: By using appropriate machinery or instruments that can detect the defects clearly

4) BlockageSymptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies

S: Slow water flow in the pipe or small matter diffuse

out from the water tapC : Blockage of debris, small particles, tree roots and so

on.

I: Inspection for possible causes of blockage such as tree roots, rust, accumulation of sand and stone

R: Removes the blockage immediately before getting worst I: Inspect the water pressure level in

the pipeline

R: Using specialized method such as ultrasound etc.

5) CracksSymptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies

S: Crack in the surface or inside the pipeline

C : occur due to fatigue, stress corrosion, and weld defects

I: Inspect for the weld area is it the causes of crack or not

R: Weld the defect properly by using appropriate method and type of weld I: Inspect for the sign of crack

R: observe the leakage of water in the pipeline.if necessary, remove the older pipe

Conclusion• Pipelines – due to their buried and often located

in areas of construction activity – are susceptible to defects.

• Pipeline operators employ damage prevention programs to protect their pipelines from damage, and to detect the existence of anomalies before they can result in a pipeline failure.

• When a pipeline operator detects the presence of a defect or anomaly, the pipeline is restored to its original design configuration through repairs AND maintenance.