History
of the Huddersfield Water Supplies
By T. W. Woodhead
CHAPTER X - TESTING AND INSPECTION OF FITTINGS, PIPES
AND MAINS INCRUSTATION
The water is tested for pH value, or the intensity of acidity
or softness, several times each day, and the strength of
the lime water three times a day.
Testing and inspection of fittings are done by the Waterworks
Department with a view of preventing waste, and all fittings
such as taps, ball taps, cisterns, cylinders, etc., are
tested at the Spring Street Depot and must be up to the
standard laid down by regulations before being passed for
use. In addition there is also a system of nigh sounding
on customers’ stop taps and on the mains, by means
of a stethoscope for detecting possible leakages. This system
was introduced in March, 1938, and has proved successful
in detecting a large number of burst pipes and fittings
which require attention. When hot or cold water taps do
not shut off properly and need re-washering, this is carried
out free of charge by inspectors of the Waterworks Department,
on notice been given to the Waterworks Manager, Town Hall,
Huddersfield.
Having our supplies from so many difference sources increases
the difficulties of supervision and control; further, the
development of the district causing so many dead ends to
the supply pipes requires that a careful inspection has
constantly to be made to let out material which may accumulate
in those positions, thus causing temporary inconvenience
to consumers.
Another difficulty met with, especially in old mains, is
the formation of limpet shaped incrustations on the inner
surface of the pipes and unless they are removed, they become
confluent, the result being a considerable reduction in
the bore of the pipe and of supply (5). The following account
by Mr. Beveredge explains how this difficulty is dealt with
in the mains of the Huddersfield area.
All cast iron pipes used for the conveying of water are
treated inside and out with a bitumastic solution, known
as "Dr. Anus Smith’s Solution," before leaving
the foundry. The pipes are coated with the solution to protect
the metal from the action of water. Some waters act more
vigorously than others – this is particularly so with
a soft water. No matter how carefully the coating is applied
in time, the water comes in direct contact with the metal
with the result that nodular excrescences on the inner sides
of the pipe are formed. In time, the surface becomes studded
with these nodular growths and unless cleared away the carrying
capacity of the pipe is greatly reduced. The growths also,
to a certain extent, are responsible for the discoloured
water supplied to the consumers.
At one time, these growths were cleared away by scraping
the pipe, but this method, in the majority of cases, did
not prove a success as it exposed the whole of the inside
of the face of the pipe to the water and in a few years,
the pipe was as bad as ever. In many cases, it was also
the cause of a "red water" being supplied to the
consumers. After years of experiment, a number of firms
have perfected systems of scraping or de-scaling the mains
and at the same time re-coating the inside face with a bitumastic
solution or a thin coat approximately 2/16" thick of
cement mortar. These methods are a distinctive advance on
the old method of scraping only, as the bitumastic coating
or cement lining gives to the pipe a further lease of life,
which should, if the work is properly carried out, nearly
equal that of a new pipe at the fraction of the cost.
One of these systems of reconditioning of water mains has
been used in Huddersfield with satisfactory results. Not
only has the carrying capacity of the water mains been increased
and the character of the water supplied to the consumers
been improved but inspections of cuts taken from the mains
show that the incrustation has been removed and the inside
face has received an even coat of bitumastic solution.
The system used is known as the "Eric" system
and is carried out in the following manner:-
The main is got down to at intervals of approximately 200
yards and cuts of approximately two feet are taken from
the main. A wire rope is then passed through the length
of the main which is to be reconditioned. To the end of
this wire rope are attached a series of scrapers which loosen
the incrustation on the inside face of the pipe. After the
scrapers have been passed through the pipe three or four
times, it is flushed out with a copious supply of water
and at the same time, a stiff wire brush of a diameter equal
to that of the pipe is drawn through, which takes away any
scales which may be adhering to the sides of the pipe and
would not be carried away by the scouring action of the
water.
After this work has been completed, the pipe is in a condition
to be coated with bitumen. The pipe is completely filled
with bitumastic solution and an electrode, which is connected
to an Electric Generator on the surface, is slowly drawn
through the pipes. As the pipe is coated with the bitumastic
solution, it forms and insulation between the pipe and the
electrode. This is immediately communicated to a suitable
meter attached to the generator which is under constant
supervision of the operator.
The length of time taken to recondition 200 yards of main
varies with the condition of the main, whether it is straight
or curved, or has branches off it, but at no time should
the water supply to the consumer be off for more than eight
hours on any one day.
One advantage this system has over others is that the face
of the pipe to be coated need not be dry as the composition
of the solution is such that the bitumen adheres to a wet
surface, thus saving a considerable amount of time.
During 1937, 10,505 yards of mains were scraped and relined
with bitumastic solution, and during 1938, 11,485 yards
were so treated, making a total of 21,990 yards. The reconditioning
of the mains is still (1939) in progress.
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