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  • Ask the Ditch Doctor - What About Residual Water in Cold Temps?
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Ask the Ditch Doctor - What About Residual Water in Cold Temps?

By Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, NACE CT   02/12/2021  In Installation Technical

Dear Ditch Doctor,

We recently installed a 15,000-ft 12-inch diameter Ductile iron pipeline with several 6-inch branches off two hydrants. The average depth of cover is 4 feet. The city engineer has expressed a concern that residual groundwater might have entered the pipeline during our installation activities.

This pipeline was not hydrotested after installation for various reasons but will be after winter. The concern is if there is residual water in the line and it freezes, will it affect the integrity of the pipe and cement lining? Will this crack or buckle the pipe? Do you foresee any other issues?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Sincerely,

Freezing in Fairbanks

12" Ductile iron pipe installation.
12" Ductile iron pipe installation.

Dear Freezing,

It truly depends on the amount of residual water that may have accumulated within the pipeline. in all my years in the waterworks world, the only time that I've seen internal water damage in Ductile iron pipe was on a bridge-crossing near Boston, Massachusetts, where they successfully pressure tested the pipe during an extended cold snap in February and left the pipe full after the test. In the belly of a bridge. Not insulated.

18" restrained joint pipe on a bridge over a highway, Feb. 2004.
One of three expansion joints installed within this 500-ft crossing.

Water expands when it freezes, and there was no place for it to go, as the pipe was left entirely full of water. Amazingly, it did rip some pipe walls clean through at the weld beads (restrained joint piping) given that the weld area is more rigid than the Ductile iron itself. Easily explainable as to cause. It was not a pressure thing. It was a mechanical strength limits thing. And if anyone thinks ice cannot wreck iron … talk to the poor souls once upon the Titanic.

Major ice problem. Pipe left full of water following successful hydrotest.
Uninsulated. In the bridge structure. February. New England.

I highly doubt that any residual amount of water left in the long lengths of the pipeline you've described would consume all the available space within the pipeline, leaving no room for water to expand without harming the portions previously holding only air. It is highly likely, given the parameters you've provided, that any ice that forms will do so harmlessly only to melt back to water when the temperature rises. 

Summary in two words for your inquiry … NO WORRIES. Proper insulation on pipe where climates go near-freezing eliminates this concern. Consult with your design engineer for options.

And since you haven't performed a hydrostatic pressure test on that pipe yet, be sure to check out the #IronStrong video below for some helpful tips, along with another video that touches on electrical thawing and cable bonds for DI pipe.

Please have a safe and enjoyable winter up in Fairbanks.

Ditch Doctor

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Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, NACE CT

It's been a fascinating 3-decade run for me serving the water and sewer industry. Beginning with 14 years at Griffin Pipe Products as their National Product Engineer, then developing that role further over the last 15 years with the McWane organization, I have been blessed to see the entirety of North America and much of Canada time and again for too many interesting scenarios to ever list.

I've met and worked with countless wonderful people across all aspects of utility design, manufacture, construction, troubleshooting, and professional development. Through the years many of them have become personal as well. I've loved every day of it, even the bad ones because those are the ones where your character, communication skills, and desire to productively assist are not only required but tested. That's what makes it fun. Stepping in when others are compelled to step back. 

Outside of work I enjoy quiet time with friends and family, sports of all kinds, and my greatest assignment ever ... being a Grandpa, courtesy of my son Kyle and his wonderful wife Erin.

ken.rickvalsky@mcwaneductile.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-rickvalsky-20265616b/

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