2. Introduction
• The water supply system is the essential link of
the water supply source and the receiver.
• It is an elaborate conveyance system that allows
water to be moved through miles of piping
before reaching a tap.
• Pumps allow water to move through the system ;
valves allow water pressure and flow direction to
be regulated along the way.
3. Water resources in Malaysia
• Annual Rainfall
990 billion m³
• Surface runoff
566 billion m³
• Evapo-transpiration
360 billion m³
• Ground water recharge
64 billion³
• Surface artifical storage (dams)
25 billion³
• Ground water storage (aquifers)
5000 million m³
4. Defects in Water Supply
System
1) Rusting
2) Leakage
3) Dents & Buckles
4) Blockage
5) Cracks
5. 1) Rusting / Corrosion
Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies
S: Brownish water, unclean
water.
C : Old plumbing system,
corrosion
or dirty supply tanks
I: Inspection of main pipeline,
distribution pipe or branch pipes
R: Usage of Galvanized pipe (if necessary),
scrapping by using wire brush
I: Inspect for signs of corrosion and
leakage in pipe linkage
R: Change the older pipes to a new one or coat
with anti corrosion paint (external)
I: Inspect for the water tank / storage
R: Clean up the water tank
6. 2) Leakage
Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies
S: Stoppage of supply or
insufficient water pressure or
flows
C : Old plumbing system, loose
fittings, leakage in the water
system after the meter or
welding method
I: Inspection of leakage underground pipe
R: Determine the location of leakage using
appropriate instruments
I: Inspection of loose joints or fitting in
the pipelines
R: Tighten the connections by using appropriate
jointing method such as welding, bolt & nuts,
or rivets
I: Inspection of old pipeline
R: Change the older pipes or change to a new
system which is more economic and suitable.
7. 3) Dents & Buckles
Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies
S: Changes in pipe shape and
size
(expand in size)
C : Dents can also be caused by
rocks that come in contact
with the pipe wall, and buckles
are a partial collapse of the
pipe due to excessive bending
or compression
I: Inspection of pipe shapes and size; is it
normal to the standard size or changes in
original size
R: Clearly marking the pipeline
I: Inspection of anomalies that could
result to failure of pipes
R: By using appropriate machinery or
instruments that can detect the defects
clearly
8. 4) Blockage
Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies
S: Slow water flow in the pipe
or small matter diffuse out
from the water tap
C : Blockage of debris, small
particles, tree roots and so on.
I: Inspection for possible causes of
blockage such as tree roots, rust,
accumulation of sand and stone
R: Removes the blockage immediately before
getting worst
I: Inspect the water pressure level in the
pipeline
R: Using specialized method such as ultrasound
etc.
9. 5) Cracks
Symptoms & Causes Method of Inspection & Remedies
S: Crack in the surface or
inside the pipeline
C : occur due to fatigue, stress
corrosion, and weld defects
I: Inspect for the weld area is it the causes
of crack or not
R: Weld the defect properly by using appropriate
method and type of weld
I: Inspect for the sign of crack
R: observe the leakage of water in the pipeline.if
necessary, remove the older pipe
10. Conclusion
• Pipelines – due to their buried and often located in
areas of construction activity – are susceptible to
defects.
• Pipeline operators employ damage prevention
programs to protect their pipelines from damage,
and to detect the existence of anomalies before they
can result in a pipeline failure.
• When a pipeline operator detects the presence of a
defect or anomaly, the pipeline is restored to its
original design configuration through repairs AND
maintenance.
