Private and Publicly Owned Distribution System Water Main Pipe MaterialsCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 01.
Copyrighted
November 6, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Private and Publicly Owned Distribution System Water Main Pipe
Materials
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the continued use
of poly -vinyl chloride (PVC) and ductile iron pipe (D I P) for public drinking
water mains privately or publicly owned -and -operated in the City of
Dubuque, or as extended, with the intent to be connected to the City of
Dubuque's water distribution system; and that the City of Dubuque
continue to use the SUDAS Specification and Design Manual for water
mains, adopted by City Council resolution 211-23 on July 5, 2023, as a
uniform standard for design and installation; and suspend use of the
Division 5 of the City of Dubuque SUDAS Supplemental standards as it
pertains to Water Main materials specifically until such time as a formal
review is conducted.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
SUDAS Recommendation for Water Main Materials Staff Memo
MVM Memo
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Private and Publicly Owned Distribution System Water Main Pipe
Materials
DATE: November 1, 2023
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council approval
of the continued use of poly -vinyl chloride (PVC) and ductile iron pipe (DIP) for public
drinking water mains privately or publicly owned -and -operated in the City of Dubuque,
or as extended, with the intent to be connected to the City of Dubuque's water
distribution system; and that the City of Dubuque continue to use the SUDAS
Specification and Design Manual for water mains, adopted by City Council resolution
211-23 on July 5, 2023, as a uniform standard for design and installation; and suspend
use of the Division 5 of the City of Dubuque SUDAS Supplemental standards as it
pertains to Water Main materials specifically until such time as a formal review is
conducted.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Micliael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation President & CEO
Dave Lyons, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation Strategic Initiatives
Consultant
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
SUBJECT: Private and Publicly Owned Distribution System Water Main Pipe Materials
DATE: November 2, 2023
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend the continued use of poly -vinyl
chloride (PVC) and ductile iron pipe (DIP) for public drinking water mains privately or
publicly owned -and -operated in the City of Dubuque, or as extended, with the intent to be
connected to the City of Dubuque's water distribution system; and that the City of
Dubuque continue to use the SUDAS Specification and Design Manual for water mains,
adopted by City Council resolution 211-23 on July 5, 2023, as a uniform standard for
design and installation; and suspend use of the Division 5 of the City of Dubuque SUDAS
Supplemental standards as it pertains to Water Main materials specifically until such time
as a formal review is conducted.
BACKGROUND
The city of Dubuque's Water Department carries the responsibility of operating,
maintaining, and executing capital projects associated with the city's drinking water
distribution system. The city's drinking water infrastructure is comprised of cast iron
pipe, ductile iron pipe, poly -vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, and in five locations, lead water
mains. There is an estimated total of 333 miles of public water main and an estimated
60 miles of water main that are privately operated and maintained within the Dubuque
service area.
DUBUQUE: PUBIC VS.PRIVATE WATER MAINS
■ Public Water Main, Miles ■ Private Water Main, Miles
Most of Dubuque's public water mains are cast iron or ductile iron with some small
diameter copper and lead water mains serving small cul-de-sacs and dead ends,
estimated at 300 miles and approximately 33 miles are PVC in contrast to an estimated
7 miles, or 17%, of private water mains are PVC. The largest ductile iron water main is
the 30-inch discharge pipe leaving the Eagle Point Water Treatment Plant; and the
largest cast iron water main is thought to be the 24-inch feed line to the West 3rd Street
7.5MG ground storage reservoir. The largest diameter PVC public water main pipe in
the system is 16-inch.
DUBUQUE: METAL WATER MAINS VS. PVC
WATER MAINS
■Cast, Ductile Iron (All Metal) Pipe, Miles ■ PVC Pipe, Miles
Since the 1950's, following reduced need for iron ore that were in high demand for the
war effort, the use of ductile iron remains the preferred pipe material. PVC pipe,
however, has increased since its general use in the US market also since the 1950's,
with its use in Dubuque starting more recently, but not at the rate of ductile iron
installation.
The following discussion is a researched analysis examining water main pipe materials
commonly used and approved in the drinking water industry and the information
available to best determine the most suitable pipe materials to use in Dubuque, Iowa's
drinking water infrastructure.
Discussion
The first part of the analysis is a review of the current City of Dubuque standards
pertaining to accepted water main pipe materials. Currently, these are Ductile Iron Pipe
and PVC.
Current City of Dubuque Water Main Standards and Specifications
The current Water Department Standards as adopted and revised September 12, 2011,
by the Iowa Department Natural Resources (DNR) for water main are as follows:
Ductile -iron pipe (DIP) shall be USA manufactured and tested in accordance
with AWWA Specifications C151. DIP size shall be four -inch (4') through 12-
inch, 16-inch, 20-inch and 24-inch, unless otherwise approved by the Water
Department.
Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe (PVC) by request, may be made be made to the Water
Department. The request shall include the results of an IDNR required review of
records for any leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site within 1, 000* feet
of the proposed water main construction. In areas where PVC pipe use is
requested and there is no IDNR information available, the requestor could be
required, based on the condition and previous use of the site(s), to provide the
Water Department with a Phase One Environmental Study. Upon receipt of the
required information, the Water Department will determine if PVC pipe may be
substituted for DIP. PVC pipe may be substituted for DIP under certain soil and
ground -water conditions, where there is no environmental contamination by
petroleum products or any other type of contaminants that might permeate PVC
pipe or cause damage to PVC pipe. PVC pipe may not be installed within 1000
feet of property zoned commercial or industrial without prior authorization from
the City Manager or the City Manager's designee. PVC pipe may be substituted
for ductile iron pipe in residential areas for size 8-inch or 12 inch.
Per Iowa DNR, if a LUST site is within 1000* feet, the designer is to contact the Iowa
DNR Records Center to obtain the Utility Notification Form and the plume maps for the
site. These maps are to be used for determining the area of concern. The water main
should be ductile iron pipe (DIP) with nitrile or fluoroelastomer (FKM) gaskets wherever
the proposed water main would be in contact with a plume. *NOTE: Since 2021, 1000 ft
has been reduced to 500 ft.
The current standard requires the use of PVC is by request and review, as a result the
primary material for water mains in Dubuque, by Standard, has traditionally been ductile
iron, which correlates to the water main data presented in the introduction of this
analysis.
Standards and Specifications used in Iowa
The second part of this analysis is a review of Standards and Specifications of water
main pipe materials following a survey of other Iowa communities and the generally
adopted SUDAS or Statewide Urban Design and Specification manuals.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the entity responsible for granting
construction permits as signed and sealed by licensed professional engineers,
recognizes the following construction standards:
• Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS)
• Recommended Standards for Water Works (commonly known as the Ten -
States Standards) Policies for the Review and Approval of Plans and
Specifications for Public Water Supplies, as adopted through 2012,
• American Water Works Association (AWWA) Standards as adopted
through 2016, and
• 567 of the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) subrules 43.3(7) to 43.3(9).
To the extent of any conflict between the Ten States Standards and the American Water
Works Association Standards and IAC 567--43.3(7) to 567--43.3(9), the Ten States
Standards, IAC 567--43.3(2), and IAC 567--43.3(7) to 43.3(9) shall prevail.
Recommended Standards for Water Works (commonly known as the Ten -States
Standards)
The Ten -States Standards were created from a report of the Water Supply Committee
of the Great Lakes --Upper Mississippi River Board of State and Provincial Public Health
and Environmental Managers, of which Member States and Province include Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Wisconsin, and later the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Standards are reviewed and
updated as necessary, and establish a basis of engineering design suitable for the
conditions typically and most commonly experienced in and around the Great Lakes
region, including heavy industry leading to soil contamination and external pipe
corrosion, varying topography leading to varying and somewhat excessive water
pressures, and similar weather patterns of extreme heat and cold leading to aggressive
freeze/thaw cycles, all of which are key risk factors used to determine the best and most
suitable pipe materials.
The Ten -States Standards address the selection of pipe materials, stating that special
attention shall be given to selecting pipe materials which will protect against both
internal and external pipe corrosion.
Iowa Code
Also at the State level, is Iowa Code 567-43.3(455B) Public water supply system
construction. While the code is silent on ductile iron pipe, it specifically addresses the
use of PVC in its Standards for Construction, Section 43.3(2)(1) Polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) pipe. PVC manufactured in accordance with ASTM D2241, AWWA C900, AWWA
C905, ASTM F1483, or AWWA C909 may be used for water main construction. The
standard while granting the use of PVC, speaks to the maximum allowable pressure for
PVC or polyethylene (PE) pipe shall be determined based on a safety factor of 2.5 and
a surge allowance of no less than two feet per second (2 fps). This is important, as
Dubuque has multiple pump stations where the discharge pumped pressure can exceed
the manufacturer's maximum allowable pressure for PVC pipe, adding an additional risk
factor which is used by design engineers when selecting water main pipe materials.
SUDAS
Since 2005, the Iowa Department of Transportation through Iowa State University (ISU)
supported by several Iowa collaborating institutions, counties, and municipalities,
created the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS). According to
ISU, the value of the SUDAS Design and Standard Specifications Manuals is found in
the uniformity created from design through construction.
Both designers and contractors have become familiar with the SUDAS manuals and
thus are able to provide cost-efficient services.
The SUDAS manuals are set up for statewide use with the intent that the Standard
Specifications Manual is written to the contractor. The engineer provides specific
requirements through the specifications for the contractor to complete the project.
These standard specifications were developed with the involvement of engineers and
construction industry representatives from across the state.
The SUDAS manuals not only provide a uniform standard for municipalities across
Iowa, but they also provide one place where design engineers and contractors can trust
will include the design standards of the Recommended Standards for Water Works
(commonly known as the Ten -States Standards), cross references to AWWA standards,
and adherence to the Iowa Administrative Code.
Of note, Ames, Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa City, and
Marion acknowledge adoption and use of the SUDAS standards.
SUDAS and City of Dubuque
The city of Dubuque initially adopted SUDAS Specification and Design Manuals in 2014
and added supplemental standards with annual updates as necessary to the
specification manual and recently to the design manual reflecting Dubuque specific
requirements. Several other Iowa municipalities quickly followed suit including Ames,
Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, West Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa City, and Marion.
Under Section 5 of the SUDAS Specifications manual, the standard primarily authorizes
the use of two water main pipe materials, ductile iron pipe and PVC.
The SUDAS Specification Manual provides for the use of:
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe for 4-inch through 24-inch diameter sizes shall
have a pipe thickness with a Dimension Ratio (DR) of 18, and by design, sizes
over 24-inch in diameter, as specified in the [design engineer] contract
documents.
Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP) for 4-inch through 24-inch diameter have a wall thickness
Class 52 according to AWWA C151, for diameters over 24 inches, designed and
specified in the contract documents. DIP shall also be cement -mortar lined in
accordance with AWWA C104, and seal coated with an external seal coating
according to AWWA C151.
The SUDAS Design Manual states the following requirements and considerations when
using PVC and DIP:
Water main pipe will typically be either polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or ductile
iron pipe (DIP); and meet AWWA Standards.
Designers should use the Iowa DNR's website to determine if there are any
leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) sites within 500 feet of the proposed
water main: https://facilitvexplorer.iowadnr..qov/facilityexplorer.
Where distribution systems and service connections are installed in areas of
known groundwater contaminated by volatile organic compounds (LUST), pipe
and joint materials (non -PVC pipe) that do not allow permeation of the volatile
organic compounds must be used.
The Iowa DNR requires underground storage tank (UST) owners to meet specific
design requirements for USTs installed within 1,000 feet of a community water
system. The Project Engineer should determine if there is an UST within 1,000
feet of the project area. If so, the Designer should determine the need to design
the water mains to prevent future permeation of any volatile organic compounds
into the water system.
There are various elements to consider, some of which include soil types,
groundwater table depth, size of the UST, age of the UST, etc. Consult with
manufacturers concerning permeation of the pipe walls, jointing materials, valve
seats, etc.
Water mains should be adequately protected from corrosive soil environments.
Comply with AWWA C105. Complete soil testing or check with the Jurisdictional
Engineer to determine if corrosive soils are present within the project area. If so,
include polyethylene encasement for ductile iron pipe, valves, and fittings or use
of other nonmetallic pipe materials. If nonmetallic materials are used, be sure to
provide polyethylene encasement for fittings and valves. In severe instances,
cathodic protection may be required.
The SUDAS Specification and Design Manuals provide the city, developer, contractor,
and design engineer the necessary information to make uniform evaluations and sound
engineered decisions when working with PVC and DIP water main pipe materials.
REQUEST
I respectfully request the continued use of poly -vinyl chloride (PVC) and ductile iron pipe
(DIP) for public drinking water mains privately or publicly owned -and -operated in the City
of Dubuque, or as extended, with the intent to be connected to the City of Dubuque's
water distribution system; and that the City of Dubuque continue to use the SUDAS
Specification and Design Manual for water mains, adopted by City Council resolution 211-
23 on July 5, 2023, as a uniform standard for design and installation; and suspend use
of the Division 5 of the City of Dubuque SUDAS Supplemental standards as it pertains to
Water Main materials specifically until such time as a formal review is conducted.
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Wally Wernimont, Director of Planning Services
Arielle Swift, Public Works Director
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Max O'Brien, Civil Engineer II
Nate Kieffer, PE/PLS Land Surveyor
Todd Irwin, Engineering Tech
Charlie Gau, Engineering Assistant
Darrin Homb, Water Distribution Supervisor
File