As new technology for assessing pressure pipe condition became available, several utilities began using it to better understand their pressure pipeline assets. But there was little industry guidance on how to apply it, and the only support came from the technology vendors themselves. Having used some of this technology during its VHCA programme, Wellington Water saw the gap and lobbied the Water New Zealand Water Services Managers Group (WSMG) for national guidance. WSMG backed the need and, together with the government-funded Building Innovation Partnership, funded the development of a pressure pipe inspection manual.

Water New Zealand appointed ProjectMax, with WRc, to deliver the manual. ProjectMax were a logical choice: at the forefront of applying the technology, Wellington Water’s trusted advisor on the VHCA programme, and authors of the New Zealand Gravity Pipe Inspection Manual. The work began with a global literature review led by WRc, which found plenty of material on the science and application of individual technologies, but no single practical guide to planning and running a pressure pipe inspection programme. The one-stop-shop manual was therefore a world first. It was developed between late 2023 and late 2024 and published in February 2025.

Utilities now have national guidance for planning and executing pressure pipe inspection programmes, including which technology suits which type of inspection, what information to gather in the field, and how to use it. The manual is in use nationally. ProjectMax is developing training material to support it, alongside its existing gravity pipe inspection courses, with the pressure pipe training expected to be available towards the end of 2026.