Factors Influencing Watermain Break Rates

Water main breaks are a common phenomenon in cities; they disrupt water distribution to homes and businesses. The buried water infrastructure is typically installed underneath streets and roadways whereby any water pipe breaks result in the disruption of traffic and interruption to businesses in the immediate vicinity of the breaks. The main objective of this study was to determine the main factors that cause water main breaks in the city of Dallas. Linear regression method was used to analyze the main water breaks data collected from water distribution operations. The age of the pipe, as well as the minimum and maximum pipe diameters, was the independent variable in this study. The water break index was the dependent variable. The study revealed and verified that the water break index increased by age of the pipe. The size of water mains had a negative relationship with the water break index. The practical implication of this study is that the results of this study can be used in decision-making on which pipe segments should be repaired, rehabilitated, and/or replaced prior to the end of their useful design life.