Water Reticulation Course

Lesson 1 • Hydraulic Principles for Pipelines

Introduces pressure, flow velocity, and head loss concepts essential for sizing and troubleshooting pipes. Connects fluid mechanics theory to practical network behaviour.

Lesson 2 • Network Layout and Topology

Covers branched, looped, and grid network configurations and their trade-offs. Students select appropriate layouts based on reliability and pressure requirements.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory and Safety Framework

Outlines drinking water quality standards, cross-connection control rules, and worker safety requirements. Ensures compliance awareness before any hands-on work begins.

Lesson 1 • Pipe Material Properties and Selection

Compares ductile iron, PVC, HDPE, copper, and steel pipes by pressure rating, corrosion resistance, and cost. Guides material selection for varied installation environments.

Lesson 2 • Valves: Types, Functions, and Selection

Examines gate, butterfly, ball, check, and pressure-reducing valves and their operational roles. Proper valve selection controls flow, pressure, and system isolation.

Lesson 3 • Hydrants, Air Valves, and Appurtenances

Introduces fire hydrants, air release valves, blow-off assemblies, and meter vaults. These appurtenances support system operation, maintenance access, and fire protection.

Lesson 4 • Corrosion, Lining, and Coating Systems

Addresses internal and external corrosion mechanisms and protective measures for metallic pipes. Students apply correct lining and coating specifications to extend asset life.

Lesson 1 • Trench Design and Shoring

Explains trench width, depth, and slope requirements alongside shoring, shielding, and sloping methods. Proper design prevents cave-ins and meets excavation safety standards.

Lesson 2 • Bedding and Pipe Zone Preparation

Details granular bedding selection, compaction, and pipe zone backfill requirements. Correct bedding distributes load and prevents pipe deflection and joint failure.

Lesson 3 • Dewatering and Groundwater Control

Covers sump pumping, wellpoint systems, and trench dewatering to maintain dry working conditions. Effective dewatering protects bedding integrity and worker safety.

Lesson 1 • Pipe Handling and Lowering

Covers safe lifting, sling rigging, and trench-lowering procedures for various pipe sizes. Proper handling prevents pipe damage and protects workers during placement.

Lesson 2 • Jointing and Assembly in the Trench

Demonstrates push-on, mechanical, and fusion joint assembly under field conditions. Correct assembly sequence ensures watertight joints at rated operating pressure.

Lesson 3 • Trenchless Installation Methods

Introduces horizontal directional drilling, pipe bursting, and microtunneling for congested or sensitive areas. Students select trenchless methods based on soil, depth, and pipe size.

Lesson 4 • Backfilling and Surface Restoration

Details lift thickness, compaction equipment, and pavement restoration requirements after pipe installation. Proper backfill prevents settlement and restores surface load capacity.

Lesson 1 • Chlorination and Disinfection Procedures

Details continuous-feed and slug chlorination methods, contact time requirements, and dechlorination of discharge. Students apply disinfection protocols that meet potable water standards.

Lesson 2 • Pipeline Flushing and Swabbing

Explains velocity flushing, foam swabbing, and blow-off use to remove debris before disinfection. Clean pipes prevent chlorine demand spikes and protect water quality.

Lesson 3 • Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Covers test pressure selection, filling procedures, and allowable leakage calculations for new mains. Pressure testing confirms joint integrity before disinfection and commissioning.

Lesson 1 • Surge Protection and Transient Control

Addresses water hammer causes, pressure transient magnitudes, and mitigation devices such as surge tanks and air vessels. Transient control protects pipes and pumps from pressure spikes.

Lesson 2 • Pump Station Inspection and Maintenance

Details bearing lubrication, mechanical seal inspection, impeller wear checks, and motor testing. Routine station maintenance prevents unplanned outages and extends pump service life.

Lesson 3 • Variable Speed Drives and Controls

Explains variable frequency drive operation, pressure set-point control, and SCADA integration for pump stations. VFD control reduces energy use and maintains stable network pressure.

Lesson 4 • Pump Types and Operating Principles

Covers centrifugal, submersible, and booster pump designs and their characteristic curves. Understanding pump hydraulics enables correct selection and performance evaluation.

Lesson 1 • Water Quality Monitoring in Distribution

Covers residual chlorine sampling, turbidity monitoring, and flushing programmes to maintain water quality. Routine monitoring identifies contamination risks before they reach consumers.

Lesson 2 • Valve Exercising and Maintenance

Covers valve exercising programmes, lubrication, packing replacement, and torque recording. Regular valve maintenance ensures isolation capability during emergencies and repairs.

Lesson 3 • Asset Management and Work Orders

Explains GIS-based asset registers, preventive maintenance scheduling, and work order systems. Structured asset management reduces reactive repairs and optimises maintenance budgets.

Lesson 4 • Pipeline Condition Assessment

Introduces acoustic leak detection, closed-circuit camera inspection, and pipe wall thickness testing. Condition data drives prioritised rehabilitation and replacement decisions.

Lesson 1 • Acoustic and Correlator Leak Detection

Covers ground microphone surveys, noise loggers, and correlator operation for locating leaks on buried mains. Students interpret acoustic signals to pinpoint leak positions accurately.

Lesson 2 • Pressure Management for Leakage Control

Explains how pressure reduction lowers leak flow rates and burst frequency across a zone. Students size and set pressure-reducing valves to balance service pressure and leakage.

Lesson 3 • Main Break Repair Procedures

Details isolation, excavation, and repair methods for split pipes, joint failures, and service line breaks. Systematic repair procedures restore service quickly while maintaining water quality.