State-of-the-technology review on water pipe condition, deterioration and failure rate prediction models!

Abstract

This paper presents a state-of-the-technology literature and current practice review on water pipe condition, deterioration and failure rate prediction models in order to identify the gap between the models found in literature and those currently used by utilities around the world. Researchers have developed various methodologies in determining pipe condition and failure prediction over the last three decades. Their efforts are discussed in many literatures and articles but are not summarised by one document. In this report, more than 50 articles were reviewed from the last decade and are presented based on the type of methodology utilised. Nine utilities across the world with significant undertakings of water pipe infrastructure management are also presented which underline the current practice. In summary, both the literature and current practice are summarised to identify the gap between the models found in literature and water utility asset management practices.

Keywords:

• asset management
• drinking water
• modeling
• pipelines
• risk assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for the partial funding of this work. In addition, the authors would like to thank the participating utilities that provided their data and experience. Without their help and support, this work would not exist. The authors would also like to thank the National Science Foundation (NSF).