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Third Edition
AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and
advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and Advocacy
beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the Communications
world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the Conferences
efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our Education and Training
collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest Science and Technology
good of the people and the environment. Sections
6P-1M-20428-4/09-UG
The Authoritative Resource on Safe Water ®
20428 Cover Rev.indd 1 4/16/2009 3:28:43 PM
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Water Distribution
Operator Training Handbook
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Water Distribution
Operator Training Handbook
Third Edition
Science and Technology
AWWA unites the entire water community by developing and distributing authoritative scientific
and technological knowledge. Through its members, AWWA develops industry standards for
products and processes that advance public health and safety. AWWA also provides quality
improvement programs for water and wastewater utilities.
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Copyright © 1976, 1999, 2005 American Water Works Association
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information or retrieval system,
except in the form of brief excerpts or quotations for review purposes, without the written
permission of the publisher.
Project Manager/Senior Technical Editor: Melissa Christensen
Production Editor/Cover Design: Carol Stearns
Composition and Production Services: Claro Systems
Disclaimer
The material in this book comes from papers submitted to AWWA conferences and AWWA
publications. Information regarding the employment of the authors reflects the status of the
authors at the time their papers were submitted. These papers were selected based on their
relevance and value to those concerned with water quality in the twenty-first century. Many
papers deal with case studies and are meant to inform readers about the experiences of the
authors. Therefore, the authors, editors, and publisher cannot assume responsibility for the
validity of the content or any consequences of their use. In no event will AWWA be liable for
direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of
information presented in this book. In particular, AWWA will not be responsible for any
costs, including, but not limited to, those incurred as a result of lost revenue. In no event
shall AWWA’s liability exceed the amount paid for the purchase of this book.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data has been applied for.
ISBN 1-58321-014-8
6666 West Quincy Avenue
Denver CO 80235-3098
303.794.7711
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Contents
Foreword ix
Chapter 1 US State and Federal Regulations 1
Federal Regulations 1
State Regulations 10
Requirements of Special Interest to Distribution Operators 11
Chapter 2 Maintaining Distribution System Water Quality 15
Sources of Water Quality Problems 15
Practices to Prevent Water Quality Problems 16
Chapter 3 Distribution System Operation and Maintenance 21
Distribution System Inspection 21
Cleaning and Lining Mains 23
Locating Pipe and Detecting Leaks 28
Emergency Repairs 32
Water System Corrosion 35
Chapter 4 Distribution System Design 39
Water Source Effects on System Design 39
Types of Water System Layout 41
Water Main Sizing 44
Chapter 5 Water Main Pipe 47
Pipe Selection 47
Types of Pipe Service 50
Types of Pipe Materials 50
Chapter 6 Distribution System Valves 63
Types of Valves 63
Valve Operation and Installation 71
Chapter 7 Water Main Installation 77
Pipe Shipment, Unloading, and Stringing 77
Excavation 80
Pipe Laying 87
Connecting to Existing Mains 91
Thrust Restraint 93
Air Relief 97
Chapter 8 Backfilling and Main esting 101
Backfillingthe Trench 101
Pressure Testing the Main 103
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vi Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook
Flushing and Disinfection 104
Bacteriological Testing 106
Site Restoration and Inspection 107
Chapter 9 Fire Hydrants 109
Hydrant Uses 109
Types of Fire Hydrants 112
Hydrant Installation 115
Hydrant Maintenance 118
Chapter 10 Water Storage 121
Purposes of Water Storage 121
Types of Storage Facilities 124
Location of Distribution Storage 127
Elevated Tank Equipment 129
Ground-Level Reservoir Equipment 132
Operation and Maintenance of Storage Facilities 133
Chapter 11 Water Services 137
Service Line Design 137
Service Line Materials 139
Water Service Taps 143
Water Service Maintenance and Repair 147
Chapter 12 Water Meters 151
Customer Service Meters 151
Large Water Meters 155
Meter Reading 158
Meter Maintenance 163
Chapter 13 Cross-Connection Control 165
Cross-Connection Terminology 165
Public Health Significan e 165
Backfl w Control Devices 168
Cross-Connection Control Programs 172
Chapter 14 Pumps and Motors 175
Types of Pumps 175
Pump Operation and Maintenance 180
Motors 187
Motor Control Equipment 189
Pump, Motor, and Engine Records 190
Chapter 15 Water Wells 193
Aquifers and ConfiningBeds 193
Groundwater Sources 193
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Contents vii
Well Terms 197
Well Protection 198
Well Records 203
Chapter 16 Distribution System Safety 205
Personal Safety Considerations 205
Equipment Safety 206
Chapter 17 Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Response 213
Vulnerability Assessment 213
Mitigation Measures 214
Response, Recovery, Communications 216
Chapter 18 Instrumentation and Control 219
Monitoring Sensors 219
Secondary Instrumentation 224
Control Systems 227
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition 228
Chapter 19 Distribution System Maps and Records 231
Distribution System Maps 231
Equipment Records 236
Computerized Water Distribution Records 238
Chapter 20 Public Relations 241
Workers Who Have Contact With the Public 241
Dealing With the Media 244
Chapter 21 Distribution Mathematics 245
Working With Numbers 245
Conversion of US Customary Units 248
The Metric System 249
Chapter 22 Distribution System Hydraulics 253
Fluids at Rest and in Motion 253
Hydraulic Gradient 258
Appendix A Conversion of US Customary Units 261
Appendix B Metric Conversions 265
Appendix C Celsius/Fahrenheit Comparison Graph 269
Appendix D Sources of Additional Information 271
Appendix E AWWA Standards 273
Index 277
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Foreword
A reliable water supply is one of the most important resources for a community.
Sufficient quantities of water must always be available at adequate pressure, and the
water must be safe for h uman consumption at all times. A water distribution
operator is legally and morally responsible to see that this goal is accomplished.
The distribution operator is typically the first line o contact between the general
public and the water utility. Therefore, he or she must conduct public contacts in a
manner that will maintain a good image of the utility and maintain cust omer
confiden e in the service being provided.
The chapters in this handbook discuss var ious types of available water system
equipment and facilities. The specific ypes of equipment and facilities used by each
water system are generally governed by a combination of local conditions, past
practices, and economics. Well-informed operators should know about all available
types of equipment and operating methods so that the water system may be operated
with maximum efficiency and safe y.
This handbook is int ended to be an int roduction to water distribution system
operation. In order to maintain the publication at a r easonable size, many subjects
receive only superficial overage. Many sources of additional, specific info mation are
available in other publications. The publications referenced at the end of each chapter
are available from the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and other
sources, at nominal cost.
Water system operators are urged to obtain a copy of the latest AWWA Bookstore
Catalog, which lists available publications, by calling 800-926-7337. New publications
are added every year, as are an increasing number of new videos and computer
programs.
Operators are also urged to keep an up-to-date copy of their state’s public water
supply regulations available for reference. Although basic requirements for water
system operation are dictated by regulations under the Safe Dr inking Water Act, in
many cases each state has latitude in applying the regulations and, on occasion, may
actually be more restrictive than the feder al regulations. Each state also has man y
additional requirements that can only be found by reviewing the state regulations.
The first edition o this handbook was prepared by AWWA in 1976, using in part,
material prepared by members of the Pacific Northwest Section of AWWA and
contributions from many additional AWWA members.
Because of the great advances in materials, technology, and regulations in the
intervening years, the second edition was completely revised under the auspices of the
AWWA Operations and Maintenance Committee, with Mr. Kan Oberoi, Chairman.
The technical editor was Harry Von Huben.
Special thanks are extended to Bill Lauer of AWWA, who provided a technical
review of the third-edition manuscript.
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