Ensuring Reliability for the Future of a Municipal Water System

Walden was contracted by a municipal entity, a city in New York’s Capital District, to perform a study of its transmission line. The city’s water transmission system is the foundation of delivering clean water to its residents. However, with aging infrastructure and critical assets showing signs of deterioration, maintaining reliability, safety, and efficiency is a pressing priority.

Walden recently performed a Transmission Main Engineering Study, which addresses these challenges by identifying key improvements to extend the system’s lifespan and ensure continuous service for years to come.

Fieldwork and Mapping: The First Step to Finding Solutions

Walden conducted extensive fieldwork to assess the approximately 15-mile transmission line, employing advanced surveying and GIS mapping techniques. This process involved locating critical assets like valves, standpipes, and pipe segments, some of which had not been located in many years. Accurate mapping will prove to be essential for future maintenance and repair planning, minimizing the risk of unexpected failures.

These on-site evaluations allowed Walden to understand the system’s condition and identify vulnerabilities. Walden’s work included finding sections that are exposed to public access, pointing out environmental hazards, and spotting restricted areas beneath infrastructure like highways, airports, and railroads.

Strategic Approach to Improving the System

Walden’s study proposes a systematic approach to address deficiencies, focusing on asset replacement and risk mitigation. Recommendations include:

• Asset Documentation–Identifying and mapping all missing assets to improve future repairs.
• Standpipe Replacements–Critical for managing pressure and flow within the system.
• Valve Upgrades–Prevent operational failures by replacing aging air release, blowoff, and gate valves.

In addition to these improvements, the study emphasizes enhanced security and specialized restoration efforts in challenging areas. By prioritizing these tasks, our client can avoid costly emergencies and extend the life of its transmission system.

Walden’s Commitment to Excellence

Walden’s experienced team is dedicated to providing engineering evaluations and asset management services. We understand the unique challenges of municipal water systems and deliver solutions to meet your needs. For more information or to discuss your project, contact us today at 516-559-6976.