Water Main Commissioning Specialists — Ireland

Pressure Testing,
Disinfection &
Leak Detection.

Peafield Water Management carry out the full commissioning sequence for water mains — cleansing, scouring, swabbing, hydrostatic pressure testing, disinfection, water quality sampling, and preparation of Final Documents for Irish Water Taking in Charge. Based in Co. Laois, working nationwide.

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15+Years Experience
IWCDS-5020-03 Compliant
EUSRCertified Welders
All IrelandCoverage
Core Services

Full Water Main Commissioning & Leak Detection

We carry out the complete commissioning sequence for water mains and service connections — from initial cleansing and pressure testing through disinfection, water quality sampling, and preparation of Final Documents required for Irish Water Taking in Charge. All works are in accordance with IW-CDS-5020-03 Code of Practice for Water Supply.

01

Mains Disinfection

Disinfection of water mains and service connections to IW-CDS-5020-03 Revision 2 (July 2020), Section 4.10.5. All pipelines must be disinfected prior to connection to the Irish Water Network. The commissioning sequence comprises cleansing, scouring, pressure testing, swabbing, disinfection, disposal, flushing, and water quality sampling and testing.

  • Cleansing by scouring — foam swabs passed through the Main before any disinfection
  • Swabbing after pressure testing — chlorine-soaked foam swabs to clear wash water
  • Swab records submitted to Irish Water field engineer: time, date, number and size of each swab introduced and removed
  • Chlorination to minimum 20 mg/l free available chlorine at start of 24-hour contact period (maximum 30 mg/l)
  • Sodium hypochlorite dosing via calibrated dosing pump — chlorine comparator testing at start and end of contact period
  • Minimum free chlorine level of 10 mg/l must be maintained at end of 24-hour contact period at all sample points
  • De-chlorination of discharge water prior to disposal to sewer or watercourse
  • Flushing — free chlorine of discharge water brought to within 5% of incoming potable water
  • On-site water quality checks (chlorine residual, appearance, taste, odour) followed by off-site sampling
  • Off-site microbiological and chemical analysis at ISO 17025 accredited laboratory using chain-of-custody tracking
  • Full disinfection records and laboratory results issued for Final Documents submission
02

Pressure Testing

Hydrostatic pressure testing of water mains to IW-CDS-5020-03 (Section 4.10.3) and IGN 4-01-03. The entire pipeline is pressure tested following installation and before the Works can be connected to the Irish Water Network. Separate procedures apply to Ductile Iron and Polyethylene pressure pipelines.

Ductile Iron Pressure Pipelines

Test pressure of 1.5 times the maximum operating pressure at the lowest point of the Main. Preliminary settlement phase carried out, followed by the specified test pressure held for one hour. Pump disconnected for a further one hour observation period. Acceptance criteria per IGN 4-01-03 Section 6.4 Table 2. Hard copy printout from data logger submitted as part of Final Documents.

Polyethylene Pressure Pipelines

System test pressure of 1.5 times the rated pressure (up to 10 bar) or 1.5 times working pressure for higher rated pipes. Relaxation curve recorded via data logger throughout test period. Acceptance criteria per IGN 4-01-03 Section 5.4.4. Hard copy printout of the relaxation curve submitted as part of Final Documents.

  • Calibrated pressure gauges and digital data loggers — calibration certificates available on site
  • Testing carried out before full backfilling — all joints exposed during test
  • All exposed pipeline and chambers visually checked for leaks during test
  • Formal test report submitted to Irish Water Field Engineers on completion
  • Suitable for all pipe materials and diameters
03

HDPE Pipe Welding

Electrofusion (EF) and butt fusion (BF) jointing of polyethylene pressure pipelines for water mains, sewer, and gas networks. All fusion jointing of polyethylene pressure pipeline systems is carried out in accordance with WIS 4-32-08 (Specification for the Fusion Jointing of Polyethylene Pressure Pipeline Systems using PE80 and PE100 materials). All our welders hold current EUSR accreditation.

  • Electrofusion (EF) coupler and fitting jointing — PE80 and PE100
  • Butt fusion (BF) welding — small and large diameter mains
  • Electrofusion saddle joints — 2-minute hydraulic test at 18 bar applied to each fused saddle fitting prior to tapping, per WIS 4-32-08
  • Water mains, sewer and gas pipelines
  • EUSR certified welders — current logbook holders
  • Fusion records and full traceability documentation per joint
  • GPS joint location records for Final Documents submission
04

Leak Detection

Non-invasive leak detection to accurately pinpoint the location of leaks in buried water mains — without unnecessary excavation. We use two complementary methods depending on pipe material, depth, and site conditions.

Acoustic Leak Detection

Ground microphones and digital noise correlators are used to detect the sound generated by water escaping from a buried main. Listening rods are applied to accessible fittings — hydrants, sluice valves, scour valves, meters — and a correlator compares the noise signal between two points to calculate the exact leak location. Highly effective on metallic pipelines and smaller-diameter water mains.

Tracer Gas Leak Detection

A non-flammable mixture of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen is introduced into the isolated pipeline. Hydrogen — the smallest gas molecule — passes through even the finest defects in the pipe wall and rises to the surface, where it is detected by a sensitive gas detector above the pipe. Particularly effective on polyethylene water mains where acoustic methods are less sensitive, and in noisy environments.

  • Non-invasive — no excavation required to locate the leak
  • Digital noise correlation for accurate leak location on metallic mains
  • Tracer gas safe for potable water systems — approved for use on water supply infrastructure
  • Suitable for all pipe materials and buried depths
  • Written leak location report issued on completion
05

Hydrant Flow & Pressure Testing

Fire hydrant flow and pressure testing to BS 750 (Underground Fire Hydrants) and BS 9990:2015. Carried out as part of the Taking in Charge process for newly constructed water supply infrastructure, periodic maintenance programmes, and to support hydraulic network modelling. All underground fire hydrants on the Irish Water network are 80mm screw-down type to BS 750.

Each hydrant is visually inspected for damage and obstruction, then tested to measure static pressure, residual pressure under flow, and the maximum sustainable flow rate. A condition assessment is carried out per hydrant and associated chamber. Results are documented and submitted as part of the Taking in Charge Final Documents.

  • Static and residual pressure measurement
  • Maximum sustainable flow rate testing
  • Hydrant and chamber condition assessment
  • Testing to BS 750 and BS 9990:2015
  • Results suitable for Taking in Charge Final Documents submission
  • Full written test report issued per hydrant
  • Periodic maintenance testing programmes available
Peafield Water Management pressure testing on site
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About Us

Over 15 Years Commissioning Water Mains Across Ireland

Peafield Water Management are based in Pike of Rushall, Co. Laois and carry out water main commissioning and leak detection works throughout Ireland — with our main area of work in Dublin and Leinster.

We have spent over 15 years building the expertise and equipment to carry out every stage of the commissioning sequence required under IW-CDS-5020-03 — from initial cleansing, scouring and swabbing through hydrostatic pressure testing, mains disinfection, water quality sampling and preparation of Final Documents for Irish Water Taking in Charge.

We work across all project types — residential developments, local authority schemes, and large-scale commercial, pharmaceutical, and data centre water supply infrastructure. We invest in the most modern data-logging test equipment and fusion welding machines available, and maintain all calibration certificates for inspection at all times on site.

  • Calibrated data-logging pressure test equipment — calibration certificates on site
  • Modern electrofusion and butt fusion welding machines
  • Acoustic noise correlators and tracer gas detection equipment
  • Drinking water storage tank sterilisation
  • Based in Co. Laois — working all over Ireland
Talk to Our Team
Our Process

The Full Commissioning Sequence
to IW-CDS-5020-03

We carry out every stage of the commissioning sequence required under the Irish Water Code of Practice for Water Supply — so your water main can be connected to the Irish Water Network and taken in charge, with all Final Documents in order.

Step 01

Pre-Commissioning Assessment

We review the pipe material, diameter, length, and operating pressure to determine the applicable test procedure — Ductile Iron or Polyethylene — and plan the scouring, swabbing, and disinfection sequence.

Step 02

Cleansing of Pipes

On completion of construction and before any disinfection, the internal surfaces are cleansed thoroughly by scouring and swabbing. Foam swabs are passed through the Main and recovered. Each swab is used only once. The time, date, number and sizes of swabs introduced and removed are recorded and submitted to the Irish Water field engineer (IW-CDS-5020-03, 4.10.2).

Step 03

Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

The entire pipeline is pressure tested per IW-CDS-5020-03 (4.10.3) and IGN 4-01-03. The Main is filled with water from the Irish Water Network, air is released, and all valves are checked and sealed. All exposed joints and chambers are visually inspected during the test. A formal test report with hard copy data logger printout is submitted to the Irish Water Field Engineer.

Step 04

Swabbing after Testing

On completion of the pressure test, foam swabs soaked in chlorine are passed through the Main a sufficient number of times to achieve clear wash water (IW-CDS-5020-03, 4.10.4).

Step 05

Disinfection

A method statement with drawings showing the disinfectant insertion point and sample points is submitted to the Irish Water field engineer for approval. The Main is filled with potable water and dosed to a minimum of 20 mg/l free available chlorine (maximum 30 mg/l) using sodium hypochlorite via a calibrated dosing pump. Free chlorine levels are verified at the beginning of the 24-hour contact period using a chlorine comparator test kit. At the end of the contact period, all sample points are re-tested — a minimum of 10 mg/l free chlorine must be maintained (IW-CDS-5020-03, 4.10.5).

Step 06

Disposal & Flushing

All super-chlorinated water is de-chlorinated prior to discharge to sewer or watercourse. Discharge to Irish Water sewers is not carried out without express Irish Water approval. The Main is then flushed with potable water until the free chlorine of the discharge water is within 5% of the incoming feed water. Chlorine residuals are recorded and submitted to the Irish Water field engineer (IW-CDS-5020-03, 4.10.6–4.10.7).

Step 07

Water Quality Sampling & Testing

The Main is refilled with potable water and left to stand for 24 hours. On-site checks are carried out for residual chlorine, appearance, taste, and odour. Samples are then taken by trained personnel using aseptic technique and ISO 17025-compliant chain-of-custody tracking, and dispatched to an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory for off-site microbiological and chemical analysis — Coliform Bacteria, E. Coli, Enterococci, Clostridium Perfringens, pH, Turbidity, and Conductivity. Sampling points are submitted to Irish Water field engineer for approval in advance. Connection to the Network is not permitted until a satisfactory result has been received (IW-CDS-5020-03, 4.11).

Step 08

Final Documents

We prepare and issue the complete suite of Final Documents required for a Conformance Certificate application — including data logger pressure test printouts (with relaxation curve for PE mains), disinfection records, bacteriological sampling results, GPS joint location records, and as-constructed drawings.

Sectors We Serve

Experience Across Every Sector

From residential developments to critical pharmaceutical and data centre infrastructure — we understand the specific compliance requirements and timelines of every environment we work in.

Civil & Construction
Pharmaceutical
Data Centres
Hospitals & Healthcare
Residential Developments
Industrial
Standards & Compliance

Every Job Documented.
Every Standard Met.

All works are carried out in full compliance with the Irish Water Code of Practice for Water Supply (IW-CDS-5020-03) and the relevant Irish and British Standards. Full commissioning documentation — test printouts, disinfection records, bacteriological results, and GPS records — is issued on completion of every job.

IW-CDS-5020-03 — Irish Water Code of Practice

All works are carried out in full accordance with the Irish Water Code of Practice for Water Infrastructure Connections and Developer Services — Design and Construction Requirements for Self-Lay Developments (IW-CDS-5020-03, Revision 2, July 2020). Pressure testing follows IGN 4-01-03. Final Documents are prepared to the standard required for Conformance Certificate application and Taking in Charge by Irish Water.

WIS 4-32-08 — Polyethylene Fusion Jointing

All electrofusion and butt fusion jointing of polyethylene pressure pipelines is carried out in accordance with WIS 4-32-08 (Specification for the Fusion Jointing of Polyethylene Pressure Pipeline Systems using PE80 and PE100 materials). All pipe welders are EUSR (Energy & Utility Skills Register) accredited logbook holders with current certification.

BS 750 & WRAS — Hydrants & Materials

Hydrant flow and pressure testing is carried out to BS 750 (Underground Fire Hydrants) and BS 9990:2015. All materials and products in contact with water intended for human consumption are listed in the current edition of the Water Fittings and Materials Directory published by the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS), as required under IW-CDS-5020-03 Section 1.5.

Get in Touch

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you need a pressure test and disinfection for a Taking in Charge submission, a full commissioning programme for a new development water main, or a leak located on an existing supply — call us or send a message and we'll come back to you promptly.

Phone — Jack087 275 7951
Email — Jackjack@peafield.ie
Email — Officeoffice@peafield.ie
Based InPeafield, Pike of Rushall, Co. Laois, R32 V0H9
CoverageAll Ireland — primarily Dublin & Leinster