Revision of the AWWA C200 Steel Water Pipe Manufacturing Standard: Consensus-Based Changes Mark Significant Improvements

AWWA C200 Steel Water Pipe, 6 Inch and Larger, is an industry consensus standard that is recognized throughout the world and is the preeminent guide for the manufacture of steel pipe for water and wastewater applications in North America. The first AWWA steel water pipe standard (7A.3 and 7A.4) were published in 1940. In 1949, 7A.3 was replaced with C201 and 7A.4 was replaced with C202. These two standards were later combined into the C200 standard in 1975. Since then, the document has undergone six revisions, each iteration marked by improvements to the manufacturing process as well as associated quality control procedures. The most recent revision, incorporating a number of significant updates, was approved by the AWWA Board of Directors on June 22, 2012 and became effective on September 1, 2012. This paper will provide a historical perspective of AWWA steel water pipe standards, followed by a discussion of some substantial improvements made in the latest revision of C200. Topics discussed will include considerations for the Charpy toughness or impact testing, new testing requirements for gasket materials, allowable steel grades and or characteristics, manufacturing test requirements, weld procedures and weld testing.