Professional Engineers Richard Nichols and Steve Cooper led the workshop for CEM students on the Preliminary Design and Installation of PVC Water Piping Systems. Richard graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering from UT Arlington in 2007 and an MBA from UT Dallas in 2017. Richard has fifteen years of pipeline design and manufacturing experience with various pipe materials including, PVC, fiberglass, ductile iron, steel, and concrete pressure pipe. He has also contributed to several committees and member organizations such as AWWA, ASTM, ASCE, NSF, UL, ASCE, ACPPA, and SWPMTAC.

Steve has 20+ years of experience in water utility operations and management as a Senior Director with the Louisville Water Company and has worked for the PVC Pipe Association for the past 18 years. In addition, he has worked with an engineering consulting firm on utility coordination for transportation projects. He is an expert in capital program management and engineering of water main replacement, rehabilitation and relocation projects, and water system maintenance. introduction, an overview of the preliminary Design and Installation of PVC Water Piping Systems workshop. During the workshop students were introduced and got an overview of PVC Pipe. In the workshop, students learned the Design of PVC pipes, sustainability, Longevity, and Installation of PVC pipes.

During the workshop, students engaged in a multifaceted exploration of PVC pipe technology and its associated standards, history, manufacturing processes, and design considerations. The historical perspective provided insight into the timeline of PVC pipe adoption, with a focus on its initial installations in Europe during the early 1930s and subsequent introduction to North America in 1952. Furthermore, the workshop elucidated the pivotal role played by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) in certifying PVC pipe for potable water usage during the 1960s, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of PVC pipe standards. The AWWA and ASTM standards were discussed as instrumental benchmarks in the industry. Additionally, students gained valuable knowledge about the intricacies of PVC pipe manufacturing processes, accompanied by an in-depth examination of quality control measures and plant testing protocols.

The workshop extended its purview to encompass the design considerations for both pressure and gravity sewer pipes, enriching students’ comprehension of their applications in water distribution and wastewater systems. Moreover, students had the opportunity to critically assess a third-party report concerning water main break rates in the United States and Canada, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and dynamics of water infrastructure management in these regions.