Rapid acoustic inspection leads to focused cleaning efforts

Problem: With a time-based maintenance program, Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority in Arkansas annually serviced 40% of its small-diameter collections system using high-cost resources such as CCTV or cleaning. Some of these serviced segments had plenty of flow capacity, while blockages in other parts of the system were being missed and causing overflows. Despite having a highly sophisticated cleaning program, Little Rock looked to enhance its program and reduce its sanitary sewer overflow count by implementing new technologies.

Solution: In January 2017, Little Rock started utilizing the Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool, or SL-RAT, from InfoSense to rapidly screen 100% of its small-diameter pipes for blockages on an annual basis at very low cost. High-cost resources such as cleaning and CCTV were focused on the 20% of the system that was determined to have blockages through acoustic screening.

Result: By deploying resources based on condition, rather than time, Little Rock reduced time spent on unnecessary cleaning. By utilizing acoustic technology to screen before cleaning, Little Rock cleaned 32% fewer linear feet but increased cubic yards of debris removed by 116% in 2017. By 2018, SSOs were reduced by approximately two-thirds without hiring any additional personnel. 877-747-3245; www.infosense.com.