Water and Wastewater Pipeline Key Attributes: State-of-the-Art Review and a Framework for Managing Missing and Inconsistent Data

Water and wastewater utilities struggle to maintain their pipeline assets due to a lack of information on existing pipelines. Many utilities have digitized their pipeline inventory based on their readily available information. However, since many existing mains were installed years ago, utilities often lose pipeline records, including pipe materials, installation dates, and other characteristics due to historical, organization and technical issue, makes it challenging to prepare a complete pipeline inventory to support an effective asset management plan. To address unknowns and inconsistencies in pipeline key attributes (such as material, diameter, and installation year), this study conducts a state-of-the-art review of the commonly used pipe materials for water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Key attributes of water and wastewater pipelines are reviewed to develop a benchmark table for addressing unknown and inconsistent pipeline inventory. The findings of the review were translated into a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating obvious inconsistencies and imputing missing material and installation year attributes in the water and wastewater pipeline systems. The process of updating pipeline inventory is exemplified through an illustrative example.