CIMA+ and Peel Region
Non-destructive condition assessment of two 6-inch ductile iron (DI) water mains.
Project Overview
KenWave partnered with CIMA+ and Peel Region to conduct a non-invasive condition assessment of two 6-inch (150 mm) ductile iron water mains, originally installed in 1975. The pipelines, located at Jill Crescent and Conquest Drive, underwent a detailed evaluation using KenWave’s Dynamic Response Imaging™ (DRI) technology. Each pipeline segment spanned up to 250 meters, and the assessment provided Peel Region with actionable insights into the structural integrity and operational condition of the water mains.
Peel Region, responsible for providing municipal drinking water across various communities in Ontario, collaborated with CIMA+, a Canadian engineering leader in water infrastructure solutions, to ensure their assets met high standards of reliability and safety.
Challenges
- Flooded Valve Box: The presence of water and thick mud required additional effort to access and prepare the pipeline.
- Debris Removal: Extensive debris in the access points added complexity to the assessment process.
- Vacuum Support: The need for a vacuum truck to clear debris extended project logistics.
- Confined Spaces: Ensuring safety in confined spaces required adherence to strict safety protocols and additional coordination.
Results
KenWave’s DRI technology provided Peel Region and CIMA+ with detailed insights into the structural condition of the 1975 ductile iron pipelines without disrupting service. The high-resolution data ensured confidence in the operational integrity of the water mains, while the identification of minimal wall thickness variability highlighted the stability of the pipelines.
By overcoming challenges like flooded valve boxes, debris removal, and confined space access, KenWave demonstrated the versatility and reliability of its non-invasive technology. This project reinforced the value of DRI for small-diameter water mains, ensuring informed maintenance planning and effective resource allocation.
Peel Region now has actionable data to proactively manage its aging infrastructure, ensuring safe and reliable water delivery for the community.
- Precision Data: The first segment showed cross-correlations of reflections indicating a pipe laying length of 5.7m ± 0.375m, or approximately 6 meters between joints.
- Wall Thickness and Strength: Variability in wall thickness was minimal, with a difference of only 0.6 mm between maximum and minimum thicknesses and a 7.6% variability in wall strength.
- No Flow Obstructions: No significant flow obstructions were detected at either location, ruling out valve malfunctions.
