Water Pipeline Condition Assessment

For utilities with deteriorating pipelines and limited budgets, prioritizing water pipe repair and replacement is a must. The ePulse ® pipe condition assessment process is a valuable tool for this complex decision-making process. This innovative technology uses acoustic signals and advanced computer algorithms to measure the average minimum remaining wall thickness of distribution and transmission mains. helping to identify pipes in the system that need to be repaired or replaced. The structural data collected helps water systems optimize repair and replacement programs and improve capital investment decisions.

Our Water Pipeline Solutions

Engineered by Echologics, ePulse® is a non-disruptive acoustic pipeline condition assessment technology that provides accurate information on the structural condition of underground assets and leak detection.

It helps utilities confirm assumptions and typical pipe replacement recommendations based primarily on computer models. It allows water systems to implement proactive asset management plans –targeting critical water mains and allocating spending to the appropriate corrective action: replace, rehab, repair, or defer.

The water pipeline inspection technology works on a wide variety of pipe diameters (from 4 inches to over 60 inches) and on pipes made of cast iron, asbestos cement, or concrete. This innovative pipe condition assessment method requires no extensive support from utility field staff and causes no disruptions to roadways or the water supply. This non-intrusive, low-risk process allows to quickly test large portions of mains (up to 0.5mile/team/day with minimal support) at a lower cost. It can also simultaneously be used for municipal water leak detection which makes it an extremely cost-effective solution.

SUEZ’ Pipe Condition Assessment Methods

A variety of factors - from material, pressure and size to soil type and climate conditions - affect how long a pipe will continue to function after it’s installed in your system. Because it’s so hard to anticipate which pipes will burst, half of the pipes typically replaced by water utilities today are still in good shape. SUEZ utilizes an acoustic pipe condition assessment method that allows field crews to collect accurate and actionable information on buried pipes.

Acoustic sensors are attached to existing pipe contact points such as fire hydrants, valves or directly to the pipe. A sound wave is induced in the pipeline and acoustic sensors capture the time it takes the sound wave to travel between two sensor stations. Computer algorithms analyze the acoustic data captured to determine the average minimum wall thickness of the inspected pipe segment and assign it a grade of good, moderate or poor. The acoustic signal can also be used for municipal water leak detection to find pipes that can be quickly repaired to minimize water loss.

Value of SUEZ Pipe Condition Assessment Process:

OPTIMIZE capital investments
IMPROVE long term asset management with strategical approach to pipeline repairs and replacement
MITIGATE risk of failures on critical mains and associated repair costs and service disruptions
REDUCE inspection costs of both distribution and transmission mains
DECREASE labor costs and water leakage

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