Commissioning and Acceptance Testing - Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects - page 287

Planning for Acceptance Tests
Like the commissioning effort, acceptance testing is not just a task that occurs at the end
of the project. Planning and preparing for the acceptance testing begin during the pro-
posal development phase and continue until project completion. Acceptance testing is
the culmination of the entire effort. It is during this stage that the plant demonstrates its
compliance with the technical criteria of the project.
During selection of the design-builder, it is critical that both the owner and design-
builder have a clear understanding of the primary objectives of acceptance testing. It is
important that a complete vision of what is important and expected be communicated
by the owner in the technical criteria. Canney (2006) writes that “the specifics of perfor-
mance guarantees and subsequent details related to acceptance testing of performance
guarantees is a matter that must be carefully contemplated by both the owner and the
design-builder in advance of contract execution.”
The design-builder must consider the overall project execution plan, as well as the
procedure for the acceptance testing. The duration of acceptance testing, who will oper-
ate the plant during the test, and how the treated water characteristics will be tested and
classified need to be determined.
Once a project contract is awarded, the methods of conducting acceptance testing will
require review and continued development. These development activities are documented
into an acceptance plan and require input from both the owner and the design-builder.
More details are developed for the testing procedures, including protocols, frequency and
timing of samples, approval requirements, and corrective action plans. This detailed plan
sometimes requires input and acceptance from regulatory agencies.
All parties need to understand the required communications with regulators regard-
ing the review of treated water quality and the approval to release the water. This effort is
often guided by an acceptance testing plan, which is developed and reviewed by owners
and sometimes, by regulatory agencies. Typical content of a test plan is detailed in the fol-
lowing list.
• Introduction
• Objectives
• Description of the Facilities
• Acceptance Criteria
• Acceptance Test Procedures (including test duration, sampling requirements)
• Acceptance Test Schedule
• Reporting Requirements (how the test data will be reported to the owner)
• Appendices (any special testing methodology or drawings)
Treated Water Quality
The most common goal of acceptance testing is to demonstrate that the plant's treated
water meets performance guarantees and regulatory requirements that are stated in the
contract. This represents a verification of the entire process and demonstrates the plant's
ability to perform. Although this is the primary focus, knowledgeable owners will also be
interested in how acceptance tests are performed.