🛠️ Attention to Standards in Water Project Execution✍️ BARON SAIRENTWater and Wastewater Specialist‼️ I made these mistakes—and m...
Published on by Hossein Ataei Far, Deputy Manager of the Research, Technology Development, and Industry Relations Center at NWWEC
✍️ BARON SAIRENT
Water and Wastewater Specialist
‼️ I made these mistakes—and my water project failed.
It was my first year on-site as a young, eager engineer, supervising a rural water reticulation project in Esigodini.
We were behind schedule and over budget. The pressure was intense. Decisions had to be made—and I made the wrong ones.
To cut costs, we started compromising on construction standards. At the time, it seemed justifiable. But it wasn’t long before the system began to fail.
And it hurt. I watched a community's hope for clean water fade—because of decisions I approved.
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⚠️ Where I Went Wrong:
1️⃣ Improper Bedding & Backfilling
I allowed pipes to be laid directly on rocky ground with minimal bedding. There was no proper compaction.
It looked like progress, but beneath the surface, it was a disaster waiting to happen.
2️⃣ No Thrust Blocks at Key Points
At bends and critical junctions, we skipped thrust blocks to save time and concrete.
When the pumps were activated, joints burst open like balloons under pressure.
3️⃣ Poor Jointing and Lack of QA
We overlooked proper jointing techniques and skipped quality assurance.
HDPE welds went uninspected. Ductile iron pipes were joined hastily. No supervision. No second eyes—just assumptions.
👉 This is where you absolutely need an experienced foreman.
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🎯 The Lesson?
Even the best designs fail without proper execution.
And in Africa—where every drop of clean water matters—we simply cannot afford to get it wrong.
Africa doesn’t need more pipes—it needs better pipe-laying practices.
“It’s not always poor design that kills water projects. It’s poor execution.
I learned that the hard way—so you don’t have to.”
🔗 Full LinkedIn Post
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🔧 Technical Review: Ensuring Quality in Water Pipe Execution
Dr. Hossein Ataei Far
🚰 Focus Areas:
• 1️⃣ Bedding and Backfilling
• 2️⃣ Thrust Blocks
• 3️⃣ QA Checks and Supervision
🧱 1. Proper Bedding and Backfilling
• 📏 Uniform support prevents pipe deformation.
• 🧭 Maintains proper alignment and gradient.
• 🛡️ Protects from soil movement and surface load damage.
• 🕳️ Prevents future settlement and failure.
📚 Standards: ASTM D2321, AWWA C605, EN 1610
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🧱 2. Thrust Blocks at Key Points
• 💥 Absorb hydraulic reaction forces at bends, tees, and reducers.
• 🔗 Prevent joint separation under pressure.
• 🏗️ Ensure structural stability in pressurized systems.
📚 Standards: AWWA M23, AWWA C600, ACI Guidelines
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🔍 3. Quality Assurance and Supervision
• ✅ Ensures compliance with design and specs.
• 🔎 Identifies issues early through inspections and testing.
• 🛠️ Reduces rework and improves reliability.
• 🗂️ Maintains documentation for traceability and accountability.
📚 Standards: ISO 9001:2015, AWWA C651, EN 805
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✅ Summary: Outcomes of Proper Execution
• 💪 Structural Integrity: Reduced failure risk through good installation.
• 🛠️ Reliable Performance: Built to function as designed.
• 🔍 Early Detection: Saves time and resources.
• 📋 Compliance & Accountability: Good records support long-term success.
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