Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Research Articles

Failure Prevention in Large-Diameter Water Pipelines Using Reliability-Centered Maintenance

The consequences of failures from large-diameter water pipelines can be severe. Results can include significant property damage, adjacent damage to infrastructure such as roads and bridges resulting in transportation delays or shutdowns, adjacent structural damage to buildings resulting in loss of business, service disruption to a significant number of customers, loss of water, costly emergency repairs, and even loss of life. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) in the United States found that flooding was the greatest concern due to its potential duration, the potential for broad geographic impact, and its role in crater creation. Public safety, property damage, social and economic consequences, and loss of water service and for how long is also of paramount concern. The American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) 2020 “State of the Water Industry” report states that the top issue facing the water industry since 2016 is aging infrastructure, with the second being financing for improvements. The industry needs to find novel ways of extending asset life and reducing maintenance expenditures. While there are many different assets that comprise the water/wastewater industry, pipelines are a major component and are often neglected because they are typically buried. Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a process used to determine the most effective maintenance strategy for an asset, with the ultimate goal being to establish the required function of the asset considering the required reliability and availability at the lowest cost. The RCM philosophy considers Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance, Condition Based Monitoring, Reactive Maintenance, and Proactive Maintenance techniques in an integrated manner to increase the probability an asset will perform its designed function throughout its design life with minimal maintenance. RCM requires maintenance decisions be based on maintenance requirements supported by sound technical and economic justification. However, one industry where principles of RCM are in its infancy is the water/wastewater industry. This paper provides a case example and numeric modeling for use in RCM analyses for developing maintenance strategies for large-diameter water pipelines, particularly prestressed concrete pipelines, and proposes an approach for determining the most effective and efficient maintenance activities for large-diameter prestressed concrete water pipelines. The case study discussed in this paper analyzed wire breaks over time to predict when certain thresholds would be reached. The intent of this study is to predict when a specified threshold will be reached. From the RCM, a threshold was set to begin planning, budgeting, and scheduling maintenance activities when 55% of the wires in a frame or two adjoining frames are distressed or when 65% of the wires in non-adjacent frames are distressed. The results from the numeric model predict the 55% threshold may be reached in August 2025 for the most distressed pipe segment.

Utility sues chemical makers for colluding

A Maryland water utility is suing an alleged cartel of chemical makers for supposedly conspiring to fix prices of the water treatment chemical aluminum sulfate, costing it millions of dollars. Aluminum sulfate, also known as alum, is a flocculant, meaning it is added to drinking water and wastewater to make minute particles stick together so they can be filtered out. Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), which serves 475,000 Maryland customers just outside of Washington, D.C., filed suit on Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, charging that seven alum makers—including General Chemical, Chemtrade Chemicals, Geo Specialty Chemicals, and Kemira—rigged bids and allocated customers among themselves between 1997 and 2011. WSSC says the scheme raised prices it and other U.S. utilities paid for alum through 2016. At least 68 other civil suits based on alum price-rigging allegations have been filed in federal court to recoup costs, WSSC

Merging Sustainability, Engineering, and Procurement to Foster Innovation

This column discusses how the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) in Laurel, Md., recently changed its standard pipe material from ductile iron pipe (DIP) to zinc‐coated DIP. This change was recommended by the agency's engineering staff to continue to improve the sustainability of the utility into the next 100 years. WSSC now uses a unique approach combining its sustainability goals with field assessments and engineering expertise to inform procurement decisions.

Using technology to meet the demands of replacing aging infrastructure

Taking a proactive approach, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission of Laurel, Md., uses cloud‐based technologies to eliminate risks that create project delays and cost overruns.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Maximizing Regional Biosolids Energy Potential for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission through the use of Combined Heat and Power

Finding the Sweet Spot: Maximizing Regional Biosolids Energy Potential for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission through the use of Combined Heat and Power

Re-Engineering Processes at Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission WSSC to Increase Operational Efficiency and Improve Customer Service

Re-Engineering Processes at Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission WSSC to Increase Operational Efficiency and Improve Customer Service

Cultivating Young Volunteers

This article discusses how volunteer opportunities offered by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) created an interest in careers in watershed management by high school students. WSSC recruited high school students who needed service‐learning hours to work on its watershed, removing invasive weeds at five of its nine recreation areas. When the students began asking about careers in water and wastewater, WSSC reformatted the program to include career education. WSSC has used its volunteer program to market itself as a utility interested in working with the community's future leaders.

Maintaining High Quality Service with Targeted Investments: Development of an Asset Management Plan for a Large Utility

Maintaining High Quality Service with Targeted Investments: Development of an Asset Management Plan for a Large UtilityThe Piscataway Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located in Accokeek, MD. Initially commissioned in the 1960s and currently with an average daily design capacity of 114,000 m3/d (30 mgd), the Piscataway WWTP is one of the oldest and largest facilities owned and operated by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Its size, age, and effluent treatment requirements make the Piscataway...Author(s)Gage MuckleroyMert MuftugilJohn StullkenLarissa JamesDale BelschnerCharles CardSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 71: Asset Management: Risk and RewardDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2011ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20110101)2011:11L.4574;1-DOI10.2175/193864711802765598Volume / Issue2011 / 11Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)4574 - 4590Copyright2011Word count168Subject keywordsAsset managementConditionRiskCriticalitylevel of serviceconsequence of failurePiscatawayWSSCfunding

Implementation of an Offline Storage Facility in Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's Dynamic Hydraulic Sewer System Model

Implementation of an Offline Storage Facility in Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's Dynamic Hydraulic Sewer System Model

Delivering Water with Wind Power Green Energy Saves Money, Environment

This article discusses an energy management plan used by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) to purchase 85 percent of Edison Mission Group's wind farm output, located in southwestern Pennsylvania. This is the equivalent of 70,000 MW.h/yr of power, which would supply nearly one third of WSSC's annual power supply for a 10 year period and reduce carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitric oxide emissions. The article discusses the basis for WSSC's wind power proposal, including environmental benefits, and provides details of the proposal along with methods used for promoting the use of wind power.

WSSC Adding Wind Power to Supplement Energy Needs

This article announces that the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) has adopted a new wind‐power initiative that will eventually account for one third of the utility's electricity needs. Under its wind‐power initiative, WSSC is contracting with Constellation Energy Projects & Services Group Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland, to purchase power from a wind farm to be constructed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Pipeline to the people

This article discusses an alignment study that incorporated a sophisticated stakeholder participation program and decision‐making process that revealed optimal approaches for upcoming design and construction of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) bicounty water supply main. The bicounty water supply main, when completed in 2010, will serve as the final link in the extensive water system improvements initiated by WSSC nearly 20 years ago. The article specifically discusses the challenges of serving such a large area, and how extensive community outreach and involvement during all phases of the project, particularly in selecting the preferred alignment and construction method, was very important. Also discussed is the application of advanced risk management techniques.

Survey of Maintenance Management Practices At U.S. Utilities: Results of a Comprehensive Survey of Various Public Utilities in the U.S.

Survey of Maintenance Management Practices At U.S. Utilities: Results of a Comprehensive Survey of Various Public Utilities in the U.S.The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (“WSSC” or “Commission”) is approximately the tenth (10th) largest water and wastewater utility in the United States. Created by a special act of the State of Maryland in 1918, it provides water and wastewater services to a population of approximately 1.6 million people in two Maryland counties (Prince Georges County and...Author(s)Richard CopelandMarcus JenningsScott WellsSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 11: Utility Management: Asset Management: The Things that Money Makes You doDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2005ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20050101)2005:15L.1018;1-DOI10.2175/193864705783870013Volume / Issue2005 / 15Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)1018 - 1033Copyright2005Word count168

Customer Service Plan Improves Public Perception

This article discusses how the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission created a Community Outreach Program (COP) to meet customer needs during service disruptions. Within the COG, the Emergency Outreach Program (EOP) was created to provide support to customers during water main breaks and sewer overflow or backup events. The evolution of these programs is outlined in the article, and a listing of the services provided in an emergency by the EOP is given.

MISTING SCRUBBER ACHIEVES HIGH TOTAL VOC AND LOW HAP REMOVAL EFFICIENCIES

MISTING SCRUBBER ACHIEVES HIGH TOTAL VOC AND LOW HAP REMOVAL EFFICIENCIESThe Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) owns and operated the Montgomery County Regional Composting facility (MCRCF) which is a 400 wet ton per day aerated static pile composting facility. The MCRCF is located in the Washington Metropolitan Area, which is a severe ozone non-attainment area. As such, a Title V operating permit is needed for any major source of volatile organic compounds...Author(s)Lawrence H. HentzJoel L. ThompsonDouglas K. GrimesSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 35 - Facility Operations II: Management of Odors and VOCs IIDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2000ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20000101)2000:11L.408;1-DOI10.2175/193864700784544442Volume / Issue2000 / 11Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)408 - 417Copyright2000Word count327

The Han River: Water Quality & Ecosystem-A Comparison with the Potomac River Management-

Comparing two capital cities of the United States and Korea from the water resources management has not been attempted. This is the first attempt. Comparative study will make knowledge more scientific and more desirable. Washington, D.C. and Seoul have recently had financial difficulties (due to different reasons: typical urban fiscal fiasco, e.g., flight of middle class to the suburbia in the US and the national financial crisis in Korea), and deteriorating environmental infrastructure and lack of commitment to improve environmental structure and system. Two cities have the same mandate to reduce point- and non-point sources of pollutants, e.g., urban runoff and upstream farming runoff. However, Washington offers a lesson to Seoul: Regional river basin approach and privatization. Washington, D.C. and its suburbia jointly run the Blue Plains Wastewater Plant; Montgomery County and Prince George's County run the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as a private utility firm manages drinking water and wastewater; and Fairfax County Water Authority manages drinking water as a private utility firm.

Quality Utility Service

Should the water industry certify its treatment operations?This Roundtable discussion about Quality Utility Service was held June 20, 1995, in Anaheim, Calif. The moderator was John Huber, president of Louisville Water Company, 435 S. Third St., Louisville, KY 40202. Other participants were Stephen F. Gorden, director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, 735 Randolph, Detroit, MI 48226; W.D. Kingdom, principal management consultant, Water Research Centre, 2655 Philmont Ave., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006; L.D. McMullen, chief executive officer and general manager, Des Moines Water Works, 2201 Valley Dr., Des Moines, IA 50321; Robert H. Reinert, vice‐president, Malcolm Pirnie Inc., One International Blvd., Mahwah, NJ 07495; David L. Tippin, director, Tampa Water Department, 306 E. Jackson St., Tampa, FL 33602; and Cortez A. White, general manager, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707.

Maryland water agency bans polybutylene pipes

A water and sewer agency in Maryland is the most recent government entity in the U.S. to ban use of polybutylene pipes in water distribution systems. Breaks in plastic water pipes costing homeowners thousands of dollars in damage spurred a ban on installation of new polybutylene plumbing, taking effect June 20, by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. The commission is a public water and sewer utility serving the suburban Maryland counties of Montgomery and Prince George's, which border the District of Columbia. Marjorie L. Johnson, commission communications director, believes her utility may be the first on the East Coast to ban polybutylene. A handful of Texas and California municipalities already have bans in effect, she notes. Her commission's ban extends to all underground, aboveground, and in-wall uses of polybutylene water pipes. Unlike copper—which may crimp, reducing water pressure, or develop pinholes, causing small leaks—polybutylene pipe fails catastrophically, splitting or breaking sud...

Effect of Temperature Changes on Water‐Main Breaks

The principles of temperature‐related stresses are discussed. Statistical evidence of temperature effects on water‐main breaks are also presented from the Washington (D.C.) Suburban Sanitary Commission's experience. A strong correlation was found between water temperature and main break activity. The temperature drop was shown to be a significant factor. A new low in the water temperature resulted in a sharp increase in the number of main breaks. The breaks were mostly circular and occurred on grey cast‐iron pipes ranging in size from 76 mm (3 in.) to 203 mm (8 in.) A failure mechanism is presented to explain the complex nature of temperature related main breaks. The mechanisms explains why break activity is not uniquely related to the temperature. It also shows how different break activities may occur under similar temperature‐drop conditions. The complex nature of temperature‐related water‐main breaks does not lend itself to a simple forecasting model. However, a practical and simple procedure is presented that may be used to provide advanced warning of high break activity. This information helps the utility manager to prepare for the heavy repair demand on the maintenance crew.

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Implements GIS

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) recently completed a cooperative pilot project with Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Md., in which a complete 59‐layer geographic information system (GIS) data base was developed for a portion of its service area. During the pilot project described in this article, planimetric and parcel data were developed, and water and sewer facility maps were digitzed. The procedures and approach defined during the pilot project will be used to develop a full‐scale data base. This article describes and evaluates the design process, the conversion methods, and the application developed.