Case Study: San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA)
Condition assessment and leak detection of 30, 33, 39, and 42-inch bar wrapped concrete pipe (BWP) transmission mains.
Project Overview
KenWave partnered with the San Diego County Water Authority to perform a detailed condition assessment and leak detection of 4.4 miles (7.08 km) of bar-wrapped pipe (BWP) transmission mains using KenWave’s Dynamic Response Imaging™ (DRI) technology. The project, part of the Tri-Agencies transmission pipeline assessment, involved inspecting 30, 33, 39, and 42-inch pipe segments.
The inspection was completed over several days using temporary external sensors attached to existing access points. KenWave’s non-invasive approach ensured the pipeline remained fully operational throughout the project, with no disruption to water service. The innovative DRI technology provided SDCWA with high-resolution data to better understand the condition of its transmission mains and proactively address potential issues.
Challenges
- Long Segment Lengths: Inspecting extended stretches of transmission mains required a highly efficient and accurate solution.
- Offset Access Points: Many pipeline access points were not directly aligned with the pipeline, adding complexity to sensor placement.
- Pipeline Bends and Turns: The transmission main’s alignment included bends and turns that presented challenges for traditional assessment tools.
Results
The San Diego County Water Authority gained valuable insights into its transmission mains through KenWave’s high-resolution condition assessment and leak detection. The data allowed SDCWA to proactively manage its infrastructure by identifying potential issues early, enabling informed decisions for maintenance and replacement planning. KenWave’s non-invasive DRI technology ensured the pipeline remained fully operational during the assessment, avoiding any service interruptions and demonstrating the efficiency of external inspection methods.
Additionally, the discovery of unrecorded steel pipe segments improved SDCWA’s asset records, underscoring the value of using DRI for comprehensive infrastructure management. By combining simultaneous leak detection and condition assessment, KenWave provided SDCWA with a complete overview of the pipeline’s structural integrity, helping streamline maintenance planning and optimize resource allocation. This project highlights the practicality and precision of KenWave’s DRI technology for addressing the unique challenges of transmission mains.
- Proactive Infrastructure Management: The high-resolution data allowed SDCWA to identify potential issues early, enabling informed decisions for maintenance and replacement planning.
- Non-Disruptive Inspections: KenWave’s external DRI technology kept the pipeline fully operational during the assessment, avoiding service interruptions.
- Improved Asset Records: The discovery of unrecorded steel pipe segments highlights DRI’s ability to provide utilities with a clearer picture of their infrastructure.
- Comprehensive Insights: Simultaneous leak detection and condition assessment delivered a complete overview of the pipeline’s structural integrity, streamlining maintenance planning.
