AWWA INF53961

Pipe failures are a common problem for all water utilities. This paper describesa step by step approach for determining the causes of those failures. Thisprocess is particularly important for investigating failures in importantpipelines where the failure may have had significant social or economic costs.The steps presented include actions that should be taken to prepare for a failureanalysis, work that should be done during the repair of the failed pipe, and thefailure analysis itself. These steps are intended to provide suggestions forwater utilities and their consultants in dealing with failures of gray cast ironpipe, not as prescriptive guidelines. Includes 14 references, figures.