Problem
A 1.5-mile long 12” ductile iron water main installed shortly after World War II was being tested to see if the flow capacity would allow for a housing expansion on Mercer Island. During testing the main, which provides water to a 600+ apartment complex was found to be restricted to less than half of what was expected. The 12” main had been tested to see if the flow capacity would allow for a housing expansion on Mercer Island. However, during testing the flow was found to be less than half of what was expected.
Solution
The JD7 team was contracted to use the Investigator system for an internal pipeline assessment of approximately 300 feet of the 12” water main. JD7 was able to confirm that a section of the line between the complex and the water department was heavily tuberculated, causing the flow restriction by locating a previously unknown fitting with a reducer. At this T-fitting it was also determined that there was a water line not shown on any water department maps, and remains a mystery.
Result
Now that this flow restriction has been identified, the property owner can properly plan their budget for the next phase of expansion. “I have had experience using sewer cameras and various sewer snakes and was shocked at how easy it was to feed the JD7 Investigator upstream. I personally wanted to operate the device as I did not think it was possibly to feed a pushrod system so easily in a line,” Mr. Marshall.
Technical Data
System
12” ductile iron water main
Customer
Mercer Island Water
Pinnacle
Location
Seattle, Washington