Installation, Condition Assessment and Reliability of Service Lines

Just like residuals management can be overlooked when considering various treatment processes, service lines are often forgotten in water infrastructure management. If ignored for too long, neglected service lines can severely affect the quality and integrity of a utility's distribution system. This report focuses on residential service lines of 2 inches in diameter and smaller. The lack of information on service lines prevents water utilities from developing proactive policies regarding such issues as material type and life expectancy of service line products, adequate installation methods, and party responsibility. It is vital for utilities to understand the environmental conditions affecting the performance and reliability of service lines.


This report responds to this lack of information by offering a best practices manual based on a literature review, case studies, a workshop, and data collected on specific areas of interest to utilities. The project team also prepared an AWWA-sponsored web cast in August 2005 to disseminate the collected information. Finally, an information tree helping users find appropriate installation techniques, solutions to service line leaks, or condition assessment methods was developed.