Management of AC Pipes Now and Into the Future

Abstract

Abstracts should be limited to 250 words maximum. Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) commenced investigation of issues associated with Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes in the 2010/2011 WSAA Asset Management Program. Stage 1 (2013) quantified the length of inservice AC water mains at 40,000km costing between $8.9 and $22 billion to replace. Stage 2 (2016) provided guidance and technical review relating to health, safety and environmental risks associated with management of legacy AC pipe. This project included a literature review, risk assessment of various rehabilitation options, and identification of emerging issues. It recommended the water industry formally engage with work health and safety (WHS) and environmental regulators. The Asbestos Safety Eradication Agency (ASEA) established the Water Pipes Working Group (WPWG) in 2018 as a consultative mechanism to develop a nationally consistent approach to managing AC water pipes. The WPWG developed an agreed approach and produced the AC Water and Sewer Pipe Management Guidelines (Guidelines) for the safe management of AC pipes across Australia that were distributed for review prior to endorsement by Safe Work Australia in June 2021. The draft Guidelines will assist to eliminate or minimize the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres being released and complement policies and procedures, so AC pipes are effectively managed. The guidelines also provide a decision matrix for assessing legacy risk and promotes pro-active removal of AC pipe that is practical for the water agency to manage. The endorsement from Safe Work Australia provides the water industry with confidence in relations to their AC management techniques for future budgeting. Page 1 of 10 No-Dig Down Under 2021 Management of AC Pipes - Now and Into the Future Steven Nash