Caption title. At head of title: Project summary. "August 1982." "EPA/600-S2-82-033."

The report summarized here deals with the problems associated with maintaining and replacing water supply distribution systems. Some of these problems are associated with public health, economic and spatial development of the community, and costs of repair and replacement of system components. Statistical models are developed that demonstrate the relationship between population growth and development and growth of the water supply service network. A repair frequency analysis has been completed for distribution system maintenance events (leaks and breaks). The economic implication of various replacement strategies and the effect of water quality (corrosivity) on water loss and system cost are examined. This analysis is based on the data acquired from one large (260 MGD; 11.39 mVsec) and one smaller (20 MGD; 0.88 mVsec) water utility. The capital facilities that make up urban service networks such as water supply delivery systems, sewage collection networks etc., are often called the urban infrastructure. The water system infrastructure represents a major investment of a municipality. Because of the potential public health and safety implications of an inadequate water distribution system, maintaining this system in good condition is an extremely important responsibility for water utility management. As this study shows, once a length of a pipe begins to require maintenance, its maintenance rate increases exponentially. Maintenance costs soon exceed the costs of replacement. Therefore establishing a timely maintenance and replacement program is extremely important from an economic and public health viewpoint.