Utilizing Advanced Satellite Imagery and GIS to Re-think...

Utilizing Advanced Satellite Imagery and GIS to Re-think Leak Detection

The Water Loss Problem

• Aging water systems

• 650 water main breaks

everyday in the US (AWWA)

• “Non-Revenue Water”

▪ 16% of potable water lost

every day

▪ Up to 75% is recoverable

• Replacement efforts are

expensive

• Role of leak detection services

1. Thornton, J., Sturm, R., Kunkel, G., Water Loss Control Manual (2nd Edition), McGraw‐Hill, 2008.

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Current Standard Acoustic Surveying MethodsExample: section of a system that would require field crews to listen on all system hydrants,followed by correlation on any sites that registered noise

1,873 miles of pipe

Satellite Guided Acoustic SurveyExample: section of a system that would require field crews to perform only correlation on any sites identified by satellite technology. Circles (or buffers) indicate an area where leak plume was detected

1,873 miles of pipe

42 miles of pipe

(within buffers)

“Seeing” Rather than Listening

Satellite unaffected by:

• Proximity to leak

• Pipe material

• Leak volume

• Technician listening skills

Technology Overview

• Partnership with Utilis LTD.

• Founded in 2013

• Based in Israel with global

reach

Satellite Spectral Image

Acquisition

Radiometric Corrections

Algorithmic Analysis

Web-based App and

Intuitive UI

Field Correlation

Dashboard & Data Delivery

Webmap Production

Criticality Analysis

Geoprocessing & Buffer Generation

Supporting Crews in the Field

1. Real-time location feedback via Collector App

2. Overlaying client-provided data on webmaps

• Pipe material/size

• Maximizing use of listening points

3. Daily plan of action

Improved Data Collection

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Operations Dashboard

StandardAcoustic Survey

Satellite Guided Acoustic Survey[Satellite + Traditional Acoustic]

<1.16leaks/day/person

Up to 6leaks/day/person

Leaks Foundper person / day

National Average1 Leak Finding per

2.5-3.7miles

Leak DensityLeaks per mile

Satellite-guided Program Average 1 Leak Finding per

0.5 Miles

Survey Cyclelength of time

MonthlyMonthly, quarterly, yearly options

1-5 years

Comparing Standard vs. Satellite

•Entire systems can be

surveyed quickly

•Survey difficult-to-reach areas

•Reduce leak run times

•Priority leaks can be targeted

•Keep non-revenue water down

•Reduce carbon foot print

•More efficient use of human

and financial capital

resources

Summarizing the Benefits

•Entire systems can be

surveyed quickly

•Survey difficult-to-reach areas

•Reduce leak run times

•Priority leaks can be targeted

•Keep non-revenue water down

•Reduce carbon foot print

•More efficient use of human

and financial capital

resources

Summarizing the Benefits

• Algorithm continues to improve

• Smaller buffers

• Terrain versatility

• 3D mapping integration

• Combining with asset management

programs – better data, better results

• Informing new leak detection

technologies

• Insights for ArcGIS

• Analysis and predictive modelling

opportunity

• On the fly prioritization

Looking to the Future

Andrew FryData Analyst, Water DivisionHydromax USAandrew.fry@hydromaxusa.com502-795-3433

Thank You for Listening

Shane MajetichManager, National Water Distribution ServicesHydromax USAshane.majetich@hydromaxusa.com813-305-6610