Water district modernizes wastewater inspection
Problem: In November 2021, Santa Margarita Water District acquired the wastewater system of the city of San Juan Capistrano, one of California’s oldest inhabited areas. The inherited system, covering 126 miles of gravity mains, came with significant challenges. The city’s previous inspection process relied on a non-GIS, non-web-based system, with data stored on DVDs, unindexed and inaccessible for effective condition assessment. SMWD needed a modern, GIS-integrated solution to gain visibility into the system’s condition and manage it effectively.
Solution: To address these challenges, the district invested in ITpipes, selecting it specifically for its GIS and web-based capabilities. The district also procured a new CCTV truck dedicated to inspecting the newly acquired wastewater infrastructure. A major hurdle was aligning the city’s asset schema, which contained over 20 attributes, with the district’s existing GIS-based system. By integrating ITpipes with Esri GIS, the district was able to overlay and update asset information, ensuring all data was geospatially accurate and accessible.
Result: After two years, the district has successfully inspected 95% of the newly acquired wastewater system. All inspection data is now GIS- and web-based, allowing for real-time access, better decision-making and proactive maintenance. What was once an inaccessible collection of DVD-based reports has been transformed into an interactive, dynamic system, enabling SMWD to effectively manage and maintain San Juan Capistrano’s aging wastewater infrastructure. 505-355-6829; www.itpipes.com
Electronic leak detector helps resolve concrete pool leak
Problem: A Midwestern homeowner’s concrete pool suffered persistent, though subtle, water loss, leading to escalating bills and structural concerns. The plumber initially attempted to locate the leak using visual inspections, dye testing and basic pressure checks, all of which proved ineffective.
Solution: The service deployed a ST-2000 water leak detector from SubTech Design & Manufacturing. The sophisticated electronics within the unit’s high-gain amplifiers, combined with an integrated air compressor manifold, allowed for precise sensitivity adjustments and controlled air injection into the plumbing, making the leak detectable. The amplifiers, featuring a high 200K input impedance to capture even the weakest signals and a low 10-ohm output impedance for clear audio transmission, were instrumental in this process.
Result: The unit revealed a distinct acoustic signature, pinpointing a hairline crack in the skimmer pipe. This allowed the plumber to perform a swift and targeted repair, leading to a dramatic reduction in water loss. 877-754-3435; www.subtechmfg.com
