Water main break in Edison, New Jersey leaves thousands without water
Small diameter pipes in the water distribution systems
Various Pipes of Water Distribution Systems
So why small diameter pipes? In a large water distribution system that transports treated drinkable water to consumers, there are two types of water mains:
(1) Large transmission main that transports large volumes of water from the source to the distribution system (16 to 120-inch diameter).
(2) Distribution main that distribute water throughout the distribution system (4 to 24-inch diameter).
About 86% of all water mains in North America are 12-Inch diameter or smaller pipes (68% of all water mains in North America are 8-inch diameter or smaller pipes). These small diameter pipes fail five times more often than large diameter pipes (16-inch and larger diameter).
While leaks in large diameter pipelines have a bigger impact on water loss, utility and municipal workers spend more time inspecting and rehabilitating small diameter pipes (12-inch and smaller diameter) due to the quantity of these pipes existing in most drinking water systems.
Leak detection in large diameter water pipeline
Existing Leak Detection Technologies
Existing leak detection technologies such as In-Pipe Sensors (for pressurized water pipes) and Robotics Crawlers (for dewatered pipes) carry high capital costs, have limited range due to tether, and function best with large diameter pipes.
In-Pipe Sensors
In-pipe sensors are tethered devices equipped with acoustic, pressure, or electromagnetic sensors and used for leak detection in live pressurized pipelines with flowing water.
Advanced in-pipe sensors with multi-sensor capabilities can be expensive to procure and maintain. Sensors may struggle to navigate pipelines with sharp bends, debris, or complex configurations.
Leaks of less than one gallon per minute may not be detected.
Robotic Crawlers
Robotic Crawlers are tethered, remotely operated visual inspection robot systems. They are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors that navigate through dewatered underground pipes to provide detailed information about pipeline condition.
Tethered robotic crawlers are constrained by tether range. They also struggle to navigate pipelines that have tight bends and obstructions. Robotic Crawlers and their control systems can be heavy and bulky, carrying high initial costs and high maintenance requirements.
Leak detection in small diameter water pipeline
Impact to Municipal and Water Utilities
Navigating an extensive network of pipelines, especially smaller diameter pipes critical for water distribution and infrastructure connectivity, presents numerous challenges. These smaller pipes often make conventional inspection methods difficult due to their confined spaces and complex layouts.
Our product offers utilities a cost-effective solution to autonomously inspect vast number of small diameter pipes in the water distribution systems to detect leaks and prioritize repairs.
With this predictive capability, municipalities and water utility companies can perform pipe rehabilitation before damage takes place, preventing costly repair, water contamination and depletion of potable water.
