The Pipeline Melbourne Retail Water Agencies Information Bulletin

Issue Date – May 2020

WELCOME TO THE NEW MRWA BULLETIN

Welcome to the latest bulletin from the Melbourne Retail Water Agencies (MRWA), including City West Water (CWW), South East Water (SEW) and Yarra Valley Water (YVW). This Bulletin has been established to provide you with an understanding of current, relevant issues associated with our adopted standards, design and construction practices and any changes evolving through our industry.

The articles published in this bulletin include:

Pressure Gauge Requirements- Digital pressure gauges are to come into effect.

Publication of Revised Water Supply Standards- Swabbing and South East Water large main requirements have been updated.

Update on Planned Sewerage Standards Revisions- Plans and revised standards are well progressed for a significant update to gravity sewerage standards.

Approved Cover Systems- Cover product requirements clarified and reinforced.

Design Assurance Scheme- Future program and opportunities explained.

Update to MRWA Metering & Servicing Guidelines- Some metering drawings have been updated.

South East Water Standards- New technical standards web site and a number of new and revised standards have been published.

Latest City West Water Technical Notes – A list of technical notes published this year by CWW.

The opportunity is always available for you to request future bulletin items by forwarding your suggestions to any of the MRWA contacts listed at the end of this bulletin.

Digital Pressure Gauge Requirements

In the May 2017 edition of The Pipeline Bulletin, digital pressure gauges were nominated for future pressure and vacuum testing of water supply and sewerage assets. It was recommended that digital instruments shall be purchased in order to comply with this requirement.

The use of digital pressure gauges will now come into effect from 1 August 2020 for all water supply and sewerage pressure and vacuum testing activities.

The required specification for digital pressure gauges will be as follows:

Sewerage Acceptance Testing:

Range = -1 to 3 bar / -100 kPa to 300kPa

Accuracy = +/- 0.1%

Pressure Main Acceptance Testing:

Range = -1 to 20 bar / -100 kPa to 2,000kPa

Accuracy = +/- 0.1%

Contractors who construct pressure pipeline systems exceeding a PN16 pressure rating may require higher rated testing equipment.

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Publication of Revised Water Supply Standards

South East Water has recently undertaken a review of select number of MRWA Water Supply standards to ensure that they meet current Water Agency operational and maintenance requirements. The updated MRWA Water Supply Standards have now been published onto the Water Standards page of the MRWA web portal site.

The most significant changes relate to large water main design and swabbing procedures. The following description summarises the changes made:

MRWA-W-105- Distribution Main Divide Valve and Bypass_arrangements. South East Water no longer requires the use of Resilient Seated Gate Valves with an integrated Bypass. When a valve bypass is required, they shall be designed and constructed with a separate bypass arrangement as per Figures 105-A and B. This is the arrangement that CWW and YVW have required for some time.

The minimum bypass size required by South East Water has also changed to DN100.

MRWA-W-300A- Shutoff Block Design and Appurtenance_Placement. The Shutoff Block low point dewatering requirements have been updated for DN300mm, DN375mm and DN450mm water mains in South East Water’s area. Valve Controlled Hydrants can now be installed in lieu of scours at the low point location of a Shutoff Block.

MRWA-W-304- Hydrant and Air Valve Arrangements. The size at which South East Water requires air valves has been updated for water mains >DN600mm in size.

MRWA-W-304B- Hydrant and Air Valve Examples. Examples have been updated to reflect the revisions made to the MRWA-W-304 Water Standard.

MRWA-W-307-_Scour_Arrangements. The size at which South East Water requires scours has been updated for water mains >DN600mm in size. The situation where a scour discharge pit is required and the preference for their location has also been updated.

MRWA-W-308- Chlorination, Termination and Extension_of_Mains. The information set out in the previous version of the MRWA-W-308 standard has now been split into two standards. The water main extension and chlorination requirements remain in this Standard. Swabbing requirements are now set out in a newly created Water Standard MRWA-W-309.

The acceptable configurations for the temporary termination of mains and the future extension of these mains has been clarified, particularly on larger sized water mains.

MRWA-W-309- Swabbing and Placing Mains in Service. This new standard sets out the requirements for swabbing and the process to be adopted when constructing water supply mains and placing them in service.

Additional requirements have been included to describe how to undertake swabbing and the type of equipment that needs to be used.

Please review the revised Water standards and contact one of the MRWA representatives should you have any queries. The amendments are considered minor in nature and will take effect for design and construction activities initiated or executed from the 1st of July 2020.

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Update on Planned Sewerage Standards Revisions

A major review of the MRWA Gravity Sewerage Standards has been undertaken by the Water Agencies. Amendments have been made to virtually all of the existing Sewerage standards. A draft set of the Standards is now going through an industry review with the aim to publish a revised set of Standards in the second half of 2020. The industry review will be completed by Water Agency staff, ALDE represented consultants and CCF represented contractors over the next month or two.

The current Gravity Sewerage Standards have now been in place for four years and have been under extensive review for over twelve months. With over 330 of our most experienced local sewerage designers now having undertaken Design Assurance Scheme training, a substantial amount of feedback has been obtained. Contractors have also had a chance to work out what new arrangements are practical and problematic and have provided feedback on potential improvements. Extensive inspections and maintenance trials have also been undertaken on recently constructed operational assets to validate the current standards and identify any potential improvements.

Plastic Maintenance Holes have either been accepted or are in the process of being accepted by the MRWA Water Agencies. The situations of use and limitations of these products will be described in the new standards and this will have a significant impact on the mix of structures deployed at new estates.

While hundreds of improvements will be implemented, the majority of these will be clarifications and resolutions to errors and inconsistencies. Most of the significant changes will come in the form of new standards to address matters which have until now not been covered by existing standards.

Further information will be provided nearer to publication.

MRWA Approved Access Cover Systems

It has come to the attention of the Water Agencies that a number of Contractors are using uncertified and unapproved access covers on Water Supply and Sewerage assets. Water Supply Valve & Hydrant Covers Valve and hydrant covers shall be installed as specified in Water Standards MRWA-W-302, MRWA-W-303 and shown as approved in the products web portal at: http://www.mrwa.com.au/Pages/Products.aspx. Square plain coloured hydrant and valve covers are required for standard non-trafficable drinking water mains.

Round lilac coloured hydrant and valve covers are required for standard non-trafficable non-drinking water mains.

Note: The water main Contractor shall install a Lilac coloured thermoplastic patch on a black colour lid, if it is not pre-coloured in Lilac as shown in the photo examples.

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Plain coloured ductile iron covers are required for standard trafficable drinking water mains.

Lilac coloured ductile iron covers are required for standard trafficable non-drinking water mains. “Bucket” type hydrant covers with integrated shroud and frame are no longer approved for use.

The Valve and hydrant covers shall have the correct colour scheme set out in Water Standard MRWA-W-301. When a product is purchased with the incorrect colour (frame, cover or lid), permanent coloured patches shall be applied to the outer surface to ensure it complies with the compliant colour standards.

Sewerage Inspection Shaft Covers As indicated in Sewer Standard MRWA-S-301, only Ductile Iron covers and frames shall be used with sewerage Inspection Shafts.

Plain concrete covers are not acceptable for any covers in either water supply of sewerage systems. Those purchasing products need to be aware of the Sewer Standard and conform to the approved products listed on the MRWA products portal at http://www.mrwa.com.au/Pages/Products.aspx

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Only approved certified products shall be used in asset construction. Where unapproved products are observed and no dispensation has been granted, non-conformances will be issued and unapproved products will have to be replaced with approved products.

Design Assurance Scheme Update

Over the past last six years, the MRWAs have implemented the Design Assurance Scheme (DAS) program for training and assessment of design personnel. Successful completion of the Advanced Knowledge Training Module is a pre-requisite for Water Agency accreditation of Key Design Personnel performing the role as design checker for submissions of Water Supply and Gravity Sewerage designs. The Advanced Water Supply and Sewerage Design programs completed to date have resulted in approximately 120-140 personnel successfully completing the full assessment requirements for each program. The assessment process is continuing for personnel who have attended the initial two day training course with the following adjustments:

Part A Written Assessment – Scheduled exam sessions have been temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 response, however will be re-scheduled at a later date. All rescheduled exam sessions will be undertaken by appointment at a nominated Water Agency office or a group session associated with the next scheduled training courses.

Part B Practical Assessment – Assessment of Part B designs are continuing as normal. Design submissions shall be lodged with the MRWA DAS Administrator at mrwadas@sew.com.au

The DAS Advanced Water Supply or Sewerage Design training courses planned for April and May were deferred due to Covid-19 restrictions. Once the training courses can be run again, priority enrolment will be offered to all participants that previously registered attendance to one of the training courses. All future training courses will be scheduled on an ‘as-needs’ basis once sufficient demand for delivering a course is reached. Expressions of interest can be E-mailed to the MRWA DAS Administrator at mrwadas@sew.com.au. Typically, participants who have registered an expression of interest are notified first of future programs before enrolments for remaining places are advertised more broadly. Whilst the Advanced Knowledge Training Module is aimed for key design personnel with significant experience in design, a Foundation Knowledge Training Module is in the process of being finalised by the MRWAs. The purpose of this module is to provide optional training to personnel who are new to design without the requirement of formal assessment. The training course will not be a pre-requisite for Water Agency accreditation. The MRWAs are currently consulting with the Association Land Development Engineers (ALDE) to determine the content of each Foundation Module and the benefit in offering these courses to industry stakeholders.

Update to MRWA Water Metering & Servicing Guidelines

The MRWAs have published an updated Water Metering & Servicing Guidelines document on the Specs and Guidelines page of the Web Portal. The updated guideline Version 8.1 (2020) includes the following amendments:

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The index now has hyperlinks to all topics and meter drawings from the index, making it easier to find the information you need.

The new sprinkler codes FPAA101D & H have been addressed in the guideline (Pages. 43 & 45)

New Dry Tapping information and requirements (City West Water only – Appendix B)

New Dry Tapping drawings (City West Water only – Pages. 105, 107 & 108)

Meter assemblies can be installed parallel to water mains (Page. 13)

Clarity on maintenance responsibility on a drinking water/recycled water service where the main meter is greater than 2m from the property boundary (Figure 17)

Clarity on mandated & recommended dual supply for critical & sensitive customers (Yarra Valley Water only – Appendix A)

South East Water Standards South East Water has been actively developing its internal suite of technical standards. This includes the publication and authorisation of these standards to achieve better consistently and optimal outcomes. The image shown below is a screen shot from South East Water’s new Technical Standards web page available at: https://southeastwater.com.au/Building/Pages/Standards.aspx:

The South East Water technical standards document requirements not covered by MRWA, WSAA or Australian standards. Typically, they relate to facility assets such as pump stations, odour control facilities, tanks, reservoirs, pressure reducing stations and treatment plants which are often constructed under the South East Water capital works program. Recently published and soon to be published new and revised standards include:

New South East Water Standards:

AM2739_Corrosion Mitigation Specification

AM2757_Covers for Underground Structures

AM2759_Facility Security Specification

AM2760_Stainless Steel Specification

AM2761_Vehicle Access Standard

AM2776.3_Air Treatment Unit Specification

Upcoming South East Water Standards to be published

Major revisions have been completed and approved for the following standards which will be published soon:

AM2488_Drafting Specification. This references:

a standard DWT template file, and CTB plot file

AM2714_Electrical Equipment & Installation

AM2717_Generator Specification

AM2758_Noise Specification

AM2775_Watershed Data Collection Details

Electrical Standard Drawings for:

Sewage Pump Stations

Treatment Plants

Water Supply Facilities (Tanks, Pump and Pressure Reducing Stations)

These will be published in both CAD and PDF format.

On Property Pressure Sewage Standards:

SEW-PP-011_On Property Asset Layout

SEW-PP-014_On Property Asset Installation (Water Agency use only)

SEW-PP-015_Tapping and Boundary Kit Installation

SEW-PP-016_Trafficable Pump Unit Installation & R4 Access Requirements

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Other South East Water Standards Include:

Supplement to WSAA Sewage Pump Station (SPS) code. There has been a minor revision to this document to ensure correct integration with other standards.

SPS Civil and Mechanical standard drawings

Sewer Servicing Guidelines

Protection of Sewerage Assets

Protection of Water Supply Assets

AM2522_O&M Manual Specification

AM2755_Testing Commissioning and Handover Plan

Dual Water Interconnection Arrangements

It is recommended that any Consultants or Contractors working to produce or renew South East Water assets familiarise themselves with these changes and contact the South East Water products and Standards Manager with any questions.

Latest City West Water Technical Notes Since the beginning of the 2020 calendar year, City West Water has circulated two technical note documents to registered Consultants and Contractors. Technical Note 2020-01 provides an update on City West Water’s current practice for hydrostatic pressure testing on mains and property services for water main renewals. Technical Note 2020-02 provides an update on City West Water’s approved mechanical tapping bands for PE100 Polyethylene and Series 2 PVC-M pressure pipelines for water supply and pressurised sewerage infrastructure. A copy of both City West Water Technical Notes have been included with this Newsletter.

MRWA Documentation

All MRWA Technical standards, including those described in this bulletin are available on the Standards page of the MRWA web portal at:

http://www.mrwa.com.au/Pages/Standards.aspx

MRWA Key Contacts

City West Water South East Water

Graeme Anthonsen Colin Paxman Design Services Manager Products & Standards E: ganthonsen@ E: Colin.Paxman@sew.com.au citywestwater.com.au

Yarra Valley Water

Wenna Shimmield Acting Manager of Products and Standards E: products@yvw.com.au

TN 2020-01 Issue No. 1 Page 1 of 2

3 April 2020

Issue No. 1

TECHNICAL Note 2020 – 01

Hydrostatic pressure testing on mains and property services for watermain renewal

This is a BAU (business as usual) Technical Note, not associated with Covit-19 issues.

1. Introduction

The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide an update on City West Water’s current

practice for hydrostatic pressure testing on mains and property services for watermain

renewals.

2. Reason for this Technical Note

In a watermain renewal, existing mains will be replaced with new pipes. However, the

property services, in most occasions will be renewed and, in some instances, will be

remain the same. As a result, the property services may have a combination of renewed

and un-renewed pipelines.

City West Water wants to ensure the un-renewed property services are not subjected to

higher test pressure same as that of a watermain, to prevent potential burst and leak.

3. Hydrostatic pressure testing for watermain renewal

Water main

Property Services

Existing services are replaced with new pipe

Existing services remain the same

* Test pressure

1.25 x design head or 1000 kPa whichever is greater

1.25 x design head or 1000 kPa whichever is greater

Design head or 1000 kPa whichever is lesser

* Not to exceed the rated pressure of pipeline i.e. 1600 kPa, in other words maximum design

head is 128 m

The design head and test pressures shall be recorded on the Design Drawings as

follows:

a) Design head (in metre Head)

b) Test pressure for watermain (in metre Head)

c) Test pressure for property services (renewed and not-renewed, in metre Head)

• Equal to mains test pressure, if renewed

• Equal to design head or 1000 kPa whichever is lesser, if not-renewed

Page 2 of 2 TN 2020-01 Issue No. 1

4. Recommendation

It is recommended that all watermain renewal projects which are carried out within City

West Water Licenced area to strictly adhere to the test pressure as stipulated in this

Technical Note Effective 3rd April 2020.

TN 2020-02 Issue No. 1 Page 1 of 5

3 April 2020

Issue No. 1

TECHNICAL Note 2020 – 02

Mechanical tapping bands for PE100 PE and Series 2 PVC-M pressure pipelines for water supply and pressure sewerage applications

This is a BAU (business as usual) Technical Note, not associated with Covit-19 issues.

1. Introduction

The purpose of this Technical Note is to provide an update on City West Water’s

approved mechanical tapping bands for PE100 PE and Series 2 PVC-M pressure

pipelines for water supply and pressure sewage applications.

2. Reason for circulation of this Technical Note

In recent months as part of few watermain renewal works, some of our accredited

contractors have been using mechanical tapping bands suitable for non-PE (PE100)

pipeline such as grey and ductile cast iron, steel, GRP, asbestos cement and Series 2

PVC (i.e. U, M and O), on PE100 PE pipelines, resulting in premature failures within a

short time.

This Technical Note details all CWW approved mechanical tapping band for PE100 PE

and Series 2 PVC-M pipeline as shown in Appendices A and B.

PE100 PE (PN 16, SDR 11) and S2 PVC-M (PN 16) are the most common pipeline

materials used in the watermain renewals.

3. Product details

Mechanical tapping bands for PE100 PE pipeline are available with two types of outlets:

a) BSP threaded offtake

b) Flange offtake

3.1. Material of make for tapping band

Tapping band for PE100 PE or S2 PVC-M pipes are made of one of the following

materials:

a) GRN (Glass Reinforced Nylon)

b) Fusion Bonded Epoxy coated ductile iron (FBE DI)

c) Stainless Steel 316 (SS316)

d) Gunmetal

e) A combination of FBE DI / SS316

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3.2. Australian Standards for mechanical tapping band

a) For PE100 PE pipe - AS/NZS 4129 Fittings for polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications

b) For Series 2 PVC pipe

• AS/NZS 4793:2009 - Mechanical tapping bands for waterworks purposes

• AS 4181:2013 - Repair and off-take clamps for water industry purposes

3.3. Product Marking for tapping band used for PE100 PE pipeline

As the outside diameter (OD) of PE100 PE pipe is larger than that of non-PE pipeline

materials, it is necessary to use those mechanical tapping bands specifically approved

for use with PE100 PE pipeline.

Before installing the tapping band, the contractor has to ensure that the fitting is suitable

for fixing onto PE100 PE pipeline by checking the manufacturer’s product marking / label

which specifies the pipe OD and the Australian Standard AS 4129.

Figure 1 below shows such markings on one of CWW approved mechanical tapping

bands 180mm x 20mm (4N Products, made of GRN).

Figure 1: Marking on 4N Products mechanical tapping band for PE100 PE pipeline

(180mm x 20mm)

TN 2020-02 Issue No. 1 Page 3 of 5

4. Where to look on MRWA Products Web Portal

In the below MRWA Products Web Portal link, look for Product Type “Mains Tapping

Fittings”, Product Sub-type “Tapping bands for PE pipe” and tick () the check box of

City West Water.

http://www.mrwa.com.au/Pages/Products.aspx

You will see two types of tapping bands for PE pipe is listed:

• Mechanical

• Electrofusion

Appendix A details all six CWW approved mechanical tapping bands for PE100 PE

pipeline.

Appendix B details all six CWW approved mechanical tapping bands for Series 2 PVC-M

pipeline.

Another seven (7) items will be allowed subject to a special condition.

In the below MRWA Products Web Portal link, look for Product Type “Mains Tapping

Fittings”, Product Sub-type “Tapping bands for Non-PE pipe” and tick () the check box

of City West Water.

http://www.mrwa.com.au/Pages/Products.aspx

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Appendix A – CWW approved mechanical tapping band for PE100 PE pipeline

TN 2020-02 Issue No. 1 Page 5 of 5

Appendix B – CWW approved mechanical tapping band for Series 2 PVC-M pipeline

The following six (6) items are approved for use on Series 2 PVC-M without any special

condition.

The following seven (7) items are of Type R (rigid pipe), not having a circular design nor

positive stop, hence not suitable for use on flexible pipe such as Series 2 PVC-M.

However, they will be allowed for use on Series 2 PVC-M pipe, if the Contractor

demonstrates that installation will be done strictly in accordance with “manufacturer’s

installation instruction” such as using calibrated wrench to apply appropriate torque while

tightening fasteners etc.

The above “Special Condition” will be updated onto relevant MRWA datasheets soon.