Mission Viejo Municipal Code Div. 21 Testing for Leakage and Infiltration

(a) It is the intent of this division that the completed sewer pipes of all types, along with manholes and other appurtenances, shall be watertight.

(b) Each section of sewer between two successive manholes shall be tested for leakage or, at the option of the department, for infiltration. In general, the leakage test shall be made on all sections of sewer except those where, in the opinion of the department, excessive groundwater is encountered. Where excessive groundwater is encountered, the infiltration test shall be made.

(c) Even though a section may have previously passed the leakage or infiltration test, each section of sewer shall be tested subsequent to the last backfill compacting operation in connection therewith wherein, in the opinion of the department, heavy compaction equipment or any of the operations of the applicant or others may have damaged or affected the structural integrity or watertightness of the pipe, structure and appurtenances. The applicant shall furnish all materials required for the tests. Tests shall be made in the presence of the inspector.

(d) If the leakage and/or infiltration rate as shown by the tests specified herein is greater than the amount specified, the pipe joints shall be repaired or, if necessary, the pipe shall be removed and relaid by the applicant. The sewer will not be considered acceptable until the leakage and/or infiltration rate, as determined by test, is less than the maximum allowable.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-418), 6-27-88)

(a) Unless excessive groundwater is encountered, each section of sanitary sewer, between two successive structures, shall be tested by closing the lower end of the sewer to be tested and the inlet sewer of the upper structure with plugs or stoppers, and filling the pipe and structure with water to a point four feet above the invert of the open sewer in the upper structure, or to a height of ten feet above the invert of the sewer in the lower structure, whichever gives the least hydrostatic pressure on the lower structure.

(b) The total leakage shall be the decrease in volume of water in the upper structure. The leakage shall not exceed two-tenths gallon per minute per inch of nominal diameter of pipe per 1,000 feet of sewer pipe being tested. The length of house connections shall not be used in computing the length of sewer main being tested. Where the head in the upstream manhole exceeds the four-foot depth indicated above, the allowable leakage may be increased at the rate of ten percent per two feet of additional depth with a 30-percent maximum increase.

(c) Where laterals are included in the line being tested, special consideration should be given to permit adequate release of the trapped air in such laterals. If the leakage, as shown by the test, is greater than allowed, the pipe shall be overhauled and, if necessary, replaced and relaid until the joints and pipe shall hold satisfactorily under this test. All tests must be completed before the street or trench is resurfaced, unless otherwise directed by the department.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-419), 6-27-88)

If in the construction of a section of the sewer between structures, excessive groundwater is encountered, the test for leakage described in section 6.60.2120 shall not be used, but instead, the end of the sewer at the upper structure shall be closed sufficiently to prevent the entrance of water; and pumping of groundwater shall be discontinued for at least three days after which the section shall be tested for infiltration. The infiltration shall not exceed two-tenths gallon per minute, per inch of diameter, per 1,000 feet of main line sewer being tested and does not include the length of house laterals entering that section. Where any infiltration in excess of this amount is discovered before completion and acceptance of the sewer, the sewer shall be immediately uncovered and the amount of infiltration reduced to a quantity within the specified amount of infiltration before the sewer is accepted. Should, however, the infiltration be less than the specified amount, the applicant shall stop any individual leaks that may be observed when ordered to do so by the department. All tests must be completed before the street or trench is resurfaced, unless otherwise directed by the department.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-420), 6-27-88)

(a) Watertightness of manholes may be tested in connection with hydrostatic tests of sanitary sewers or at the time the manhole is completed and backfilled. Any evidence of leakage as a result of testing shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the department.

(b) The manhole shall be filled with water to an elevation one foot below the start of the cone section with a minimum depth of four feet and a maximum depth of 20 feet. Where the manholes are tested with the sewer line, no additional leakage will be allowed above that for the main line sewer.

(c) Where a separate manhole leakage test is performed or requested by the department, the applicant shall plug all inlets and outlets with approved stoppers or plugs and fill the manhole to the limits indicated above.

(d) The water shall stand in the manhole for a minimum of one hour to allow the manhole material to reach maximum absorption. After the one-hour period has elapsed, the applicant shall refill the manhole to the original depth and the drop in water surface shall be recorded after a period of from 15 minutes to one hour has elapsed, the time of the test shall be determined by the inspector and shall be varied by the inspector to fill the various field conditions.

(e) The maximum allowable drop in the water surface shall be one-half inch for each 15-minute period of testing. Even though the leakage is less than the specified amount, the applicant shall stop any leaks that may be observed to the satisfaction of the inspector.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-421), 6-27-88)

After the pipe has been installed, hydrostatically tested and the compacted backfill placed but before manholes are raised to grade and resurfacing is completed, the pipe shall be balled from manhole to manhole with a sewer scrubbing ball of type and size to be approved by the department. In addition to and after balling the pipe, all straight sewers and inlet/outlet ends of curvilinear sewers shall be mirrored by the inspector with the assistance of the applicant's forces. All balling and mirroring shall be done in the presence of the inspector and shall constitute tests for alignment, grade, danger or defective pipe in place or any other type of faulty installation. Should balling and mirroring indicate any faulty installation of the pipe, repairs or replacements shall be made by the applicant as directed by the department.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-422), 6-27-88)

After paving has been completed and all manholes raised to grade a final visual inspection will be made. The applicant shall furnish the necessary labor to assist the department in making the final inspection. Additional balling may be required if the lines are dirty even though lines were previously balled.

(Ord. No. 88-12, § 9(7-4-423), 6-27-88)