Connaught Drains are specialists in Integrity Testing in the West of Ireland.
A pipeline integrity inspection is often specified in site environmental licences such as IED, IPC and Waste Licences. And many such licences in Ireland also require pipeline integrity inspection of storm water and foul water (i.e. domestic effluent) lines.
Oil pipes, effluent pipes and pipes carrying oil and chemicals can leak for years without detection. This thereby causes local soil contamination and possible contamination of surface and ground water. So the potential clean-up cost could run into millions.
Pipeline integrity inspection methods
Connaught Drains undertake pipeline integrity inspections in full accordance with EPA and other regulators’ guidance. Test methods include hydrostatic testing and air pressure testing and pigging. Where the air pressure of hydrostatic test shows that the pipe leaks, we use CCTV inspection to identify the cause of the leak.
Pipeline CCTV inspection
In some case sites have arranged CCTV inspections of their pipelines instead of air pressure or hydrostatic testing. However, whilst a CCTV inspection will identify many visual defects, a CCTV inspection will not determine if a pipe is water tight. The only way to prove water tightness is by an air pressure or hydrostatic test.
Assessment of above ground pipelines
Where pipes run above ground, leaks from valves, flanges and other fittings cause possible ground and surface water contamination. Often the EPA require an assessment to determine whether retention of leaks from valves and other fittings is required. Connaught Drains can carry out these assessments. We have undertaken such assessments for large pharmaceutical plants. Often, assessment determines that no retention is required as the site is fully bunded, thus minimal remediation work is required.
In addition to pipeline integrity assessment, Connaught Drains also offer advice on bund integrity assessments and firewater integrity assessments.
Visit our Services section for more information on what we do, or Contact Us for more information on Integrity Testing. In case of an Emergency, call us on 0818 66 33 33. We offer a year-round 24/7 Emergency Call-Out service.