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Operational Code for Drinking Water Valve Management

The new Operational Code for Drinking Water Valve Management (PCD 15) was recently completed. Drawn up as a knowledge base for valve management by drinking water utilities, this operational code is intended to enable the effective management of valves in the distribution network, at both tactical and operational levels. The underlying knowledge and best practices for these guidelines in practice were collected during the course of the Valve Management project, which was carried out within the Asset Management research theme of the Joint Research Programme of KWR and the water utilities.

In general, the Drinking Water Operational Codes (‘PCDs’ in their Dutch initials) are drawn up to translate research outcomes into drinking water practice. The PCD 15 is intended for asset managers, technical and data specialists, but also for technician supervisors, to enable the good management of the approximately 650,000 valves in the Dutch distribution network, at both tactical and operational levels. This PCD describes the most important valve properties and failure mechanisms, which are translated into a risk-based registration methodology.

Valves as essential asset group

With an average replacement cost of € 1000 per valve, the total replacement cost of all valves in the Netherlands is estimated to be about € 650M. Apart from the replacement cost represented by this asset group, valves also play an important role in the management of the distribution network, and are essential in conducting work on the network, guaranteeing supply performance and reducing risks.

Translation of ISO 55.000

Thanks to the PCD’s systematic set-up, which is closely aligned with the utilities’ decision-making, this operational code provides clear guidance on how valves can contribute to better asset management and which priorities can be defined to this end. The PCD assists utilities in the translation of the ISO 55.000 asset management guideline into effective valve management.

Asset Management theme

The underlying knowledge and best practices for these guidelines in practice were collected during the course of the Valve Management project, which was carried out in 2016 and 2017 within the Asset Management research theme of the Joint Research Programme.

Valve management at drinking water utilities has developed very rapidly over the last few years. In 2021, within the operational guidelines, a project was launched aimed at setting up, in close collaboration with experts from drinking water utilities, a continuous updating of the PCD 15 and of the PCD 9, which concerns fire hydrant management.

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