Developing a Workable Condition Assessment Program When Your Budget Is Extremely Limited

The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) owns and operates an effluent pumping and pipeline system consisting of two large effluent pump stations and more than 132,000 lineal ft of effluent pipeline facilities. Constructed in 1967, the C-line segment is approximately 56,400 lineal ft in length, drops more than 2,100 vertical ft and has a diameter ranging from 18 to 21 in. The original pipeline material is welded steel (AWWA C200) with a cement mortar lining and coal tar epoxy coating. Performing a strategic and thorough condition assessment is a critical element for determining the interior and exterior condition and the structural integrity of an existing pipeline. However, STPUD budgetary funds were not sufficient to conduct a complete assessment of the entire length of the C-line. Therefore, the project team developed a collaborative approach to identifying critical sections of the pipeline for evaluation and completing the fieldwork that maintained budget while providing useful information for determining future rehabilitation and replacement for approximately 20% of the C-line.