Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha PCCP Asset Management Advancements

Abstract

Omaha, Nebraska has approximately 45 miles of PCCP and, since 2007, has undertaken an active program of condition assessment and rehabilitation. In the latest inspection, which took place in 2011, several distressed pipe segments on a 36 inch LCP water main were identified. Three of these pipes were in a location under a major highway, making replacement challenging and cost prohibitive. Because of these challenges, Omaha elected to rehabilitate these pipe segments using the internal application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (fiber wrap) to the distressed pipe segments. The carbon fiber repair was performed using NSF 61 listed materials that were approved for use in potable water systems. The trenchless fiber wrap repair took place by bringing supplies through a 24-inch manhole located approximately 100 lineal feet away from the distressed pipe segments. The repair was completed successfully in less than a week with no shutdown required to the important transportation corridor. This paper and presentation will include an analysis of this project comparing and contrasting the fiber wrap repair completed and the same project in a replacement scenario. Also included will be details on Omaha’s asset management approach, the inspection program it has undertaken and the rehabilitation technologies it has employed to restore the integrity of its water transmission