Abstract
Corrosion management success not only depends how programs are implemented and performed, but start early in the planning and development stages when considering new pipeline design; taking advantage of lessons learned from previous pipeline design and construction, on-going operation and maintenance of existing cathodic protection systems, and incorporating updates to overcome challenges and benefit from this experience. Leading up to the planning, development, design, and construction of one of the nations largest water conveyance projects in 2012, the program manager’s approach envisioned program-wide services to ensure the future success of the pipeline.
The District and its partnering Utility engaged in the planning, design, and implementation of a 350 million gallon per day (MGD) raw water transmission system referred to as the Integrated Pipeline (IPL). The IPL project consists of approximately 145 miles of pipeline, a 5-mile-long tunnel, six pump stations, one balancing reservoir, and ancillary facilities. For corrosion control on the IPL, it was decided to incorporate and contract for program-wide corrosion control services rather than multiple contracts with firms resulting in a variety of corrosion control methodologies for a program involving multiple individual projects or design packages.
A Program-wide Corrosion Control Program is a unique approach and considered best suited for an agency operating mid-to-large scale water and wastewater systems, or for use on large projects requiring implementation in multiple phases. Often phased projects will involve both multiple design teams and contractors which can lead to incongruences in the methods of corrosion control and when cathodic protection is integrated into the design. This paper focuses on the latter situation and uses the IPL project as case study to demonstrate how establishing a centralized corrosion control program benefits the utility owner, and to also point out the challenges encountered while managing the implementation of a program-wide corrosion controls system. Some key items focused on in this paper include the following:
Specific details of the lessons learned from incorporating program-wide corrosion control, ranging from coordination with multiple design teams, dealing with material suppliers, coating selection, and how to unify these variables to provide both a consistent and functional corrosion protection systems.
Demonstrate how the Owner could utilize the program-wide corrosion team to investigate or perform research projects related to materials planned for use, or various construction practices to determine the best options for use in obtaining the stated goal of the pipeline achieving a 100 year operating life.
Identify the importance of planning, communicating, the challenges faced, procurement of materials, and verifying the design alternatives in light of changing situations and needs.
Compare a typical individual project approach to a program-wide approach for corrosion control.
Explain how the analysis, detailed understanding, and the developed philosophy gained during the design phase by program-wide corrosion control team provide a significant benefit when extended into the construction phase services of a project.
Demonstrate and provide specific examples of the processes used to make technical design decisions impacting the quality of the construction materials for the project.
