While leak detection and inline inspection (ILI) are different areas of pipeline integrity, the use of inline leak detection tools can support ILI results.

Computational pipeline monitoring (CPM) is legislated on most pipelines in North America. While these systems are crucial in maintaining the integrity of a pipeline, they only operate at roughly 2-3% of throughput, and have a theoretical limit of 1% of throughput due to the error tolerance for meters.

A proactive leak detection strategy plays an important role in any asset management program. It allows utilities to obtain the general condition of their mains, since a leak not only represents a real water loss, but can also indicate the potential for pipeline failure.

While metallic rising mains have been historically difficult to manage, a risk-based approach increases confidence in the condition of the pipeline.

Despite its high strength, steel has a propensity to dent, buckle, corrode or crack when exposed, all risks to the integrity of a pipeline. In order to identify defects, proactive pipeline inspections are necessary to avoid failures, leaks or ruptures. One way of validating pipeline integrity is the use of Direct Assessment.

For utilities with large-diameter networks, waiting for failures to occur before repairing or replacing highly critical mains is not an option.

While PCCP assessment and management have been successfully used by utilities for years, effective assessment solutions for ferrous pipe have only recently been commercialized.

Since 2007, utilities all over the world have been using the SmartBall® pipeline inspection platform to save millions of dollars in water loss and to fix leaks before they turn into larger problems.

Despite their critical importance, for decades many municipal utilities have operated under a “bury and forget” mentality – with little emphasis on long-term management of their aging pipelines – at least until something goes wrong.

According to AWWA’s 2016 Benchmarking Survey, the average water and wastewater utility has seven breaks per 100 miles of piping every year. Tip-top systems experience just four breaks in that distance, while those at the bottom have 18.

With stories of broken mains and aging infrastructure attracting more public attention, pipeline owners face difficult questions about long-term planning for their water and wastewater linear assets. In particular, when and where to focus renewal funding to service these aging networks.