Leak Detection Surveys at Public Community Drinking Water Systems

Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seeks proposals for a contractor(s) to perform leak detection surveys during 2015 and 2016 at selected public community water systems (CWSs). The purpose of the surveys is to identify and locate leaks so they can be repaired by the water systems.

Introduction - Background and Purpose of Assistance Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seeks proposals for a contractor(s) to perform leak detection surveys during 2015 and 2016 at selected public community water systems (CWSs). The purpose of the surveys is to identify and locate leaks so they can be repaired by the water systems. Repairing leaks in a timely fashion can minimize wasteful water withdrawals, reduce treatment costs, capture lost revenue, control disruption to the water system, and protect public health.

In 2015 and 2016, the DEC will solicit all CWSs statewide to see if they want a leak detection survey conducted. The solicitation will require systems to submit a project request identifying the miles of pipe they want to be surveyed, the pipe’s age and material type, results from a basic water audit, the water system staff that will assist with the survey (locating and operating valves, arranging for traffic control, etc.), and any additional information demonstrating why the system would benefit from the project (e.g., history of shortages or low pressure events thought to be caused by leaks).

DEC staff will review the requests, determine which systems would likely benefit most from leak detection services, and have the contractor(s) complete a survey at the selected systems. Depending on the project request, a survey may cover an entire distribution system or target specific sections. If funds are available, the DEC will consider project requests submitted after the deadline in each year’s solicitation and may select more systems to receive surveys. The DEC plans to award about 100 full days (50 days in both 2015 and 2016) of leak detection survey work under the contract(s).

Scope of Work
As directed by DEC Project Manager, the contractor(s) will perform acoustic listening surveys for the selected projects. The surveys shall be conducted in accordance with the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) “Water Audits and Loss Control Programs” manual (AWWA Manual of Water Supply Practices M36, 3rd Edition, 2009). The water systems selected for this project will be required to work with the contractor(s) to help make the surveys successful. For each of the selected systems, the contractor(s) must provide the DEC an estimate of time to complete the survey. Then, the contractor(s) must contact each of the selected water systems to schedule the survey, and to confirm that water system staff complete pre-survey tasks (e.g., locating and painting main line valves) and will be available as needed to assist with the survey.

For each survey, the contractor(s) must conduct an initial screening of the project area to identify suspected leaks; pinpoint the location of all suspected leaks; and prepare both daily leak reports and a final report documenting findings. The reports must follow standard formats approved by the DEC and be provided to both the water system and the DEC. The water system will be responsible for repairing identified leaks. The following provides specifics regarding each task.

Task 1 - Initial Survey
The contractor(s) will use specialized equipment to “listen” for sounds on direct contact points such as main line gate valves, fire hydrants, meter/curb valves, blow-offs, etc. The initial survey may be performed on contact points within the system provided that leak sounds travel the entire distance between contact points. If leak sounds may not be heard the entire distance between points as a result of pipe material, pipe diameter, contact point spacing, system pressure, soil type, equipment sensitivity, or any other factor, a ground microphone must be used to listen directly over the pipe at six to ten foot intervals in addition to listening to available contact points. The contractor(s) must use a test rod and/or resonance plate in conjunction with the ground microphone in instances where the main is located more than three feet off of a hard surface.

Task 2 - Pinpointing Phase
In areas where leakage is detected, the contractor(s) will first confirm the locations of mains and services through the use of maps and/or pipe locators. The contractor(s) will then perform an intensified pattern of sonic tests directly over the mains and services to identify the location of the leak. An electronic digital leak noise correlator may be used as a pinpointing tool, but a ground microphone shall be used to confirm the correlator results.

Task 3 – Reporting - Daily Survey Logs and Final Project Reports
The contractor(s) will complete a daily survey log and indicate the location of leaks found on a map.
Each leak that is identified will be classified according to estimated size and hazard to help facilitate repair by the water system. The contractor(s) will meet with the designated representative of the water system on a daily basis and deliver survey logs from the previous day. At the conclusion of each survey, the contractor(s) will prepare a final report and submit it to both the water system and the DEC. The report must include the daily survey logs, a breakdown of the rate of water loss by classification, a breakdown of the loss by source of leakage, and a summary of the project.
Project Timeline - Proposed projects must be completed no later than December 31, 2016.

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