Revolutionizing Leak Detection: Embracing New Technologies in Water Management

Hi Everyone

Tomorrow, we will be launching our video procurement opportunity with the City of Toledo!

The quest for sustainable water management continues to challenge cities across the globe. As urban infrastructure ages and populations grow, municipal leaders like Toledo's City Commissioner of Water Todd Saums are seeking innovative solutions to address pressing concerns related to leak detection and water loss. In an engaging discussion with Chad Smeltzer, host of the Infrastructure Network, Saums elucidates the driving force behind his city’s search for cutting-edge technology that could redefine how water systems operate and are maintained.

Key Takeaways:

• The need to replace outdated leak detection equipment and adopt technologies that offer accuracy and ease of use.
• The imperative for ongoing support, training, and maintenance from vendors to ensure successful technology implementation.
• A vision of a future where technology continuously monitors the water system, identifying leaks proactively to mitigate water loss.

The Quest for Modern Leak Detection

As cities like Toledo grapple with perpetual issues of water loss and infrastructure decay, the need for modern, accurate leak detection equipment has never been more palpable. According to Todd Saums, the technology presently in use has been a stalwart for the past two decades, but its waning accuracy and the ever-present human element present a concern that is two-fold. There is a burgeoning need for intuitive, hands-on detection tools that not only simplify the process but enhance precision.

The city's drive for proactive leak detection methods is underscored by the hard fact: maintaining a staggering 25% water loss with recurring main breaks. "We have about 400 main breaks a year," Soms states, highlighting the urgency to evolve beyond reactive methodologies.

The desired solution would be user-friendly and offer seamless integration, transforming leak detection from a cumbersome, error-prone task to a refined science. Soms is candid about the necessity for support beyond the transaction, emphasizing the value of a partnership-like relationship with vendors.

From Human to High-Tech: A Paradigm Shift in Water Leak Management

Stepping into the future demands an innovative mindset, and Todd Saums illustrates this impeccably with his interest in potentially groundbreaking, unmanned, system-wide technologies. The idea of automated, ever-vigilant hydrant-based correlators stands out as a beacon of progress in an industry often bound by tradition. Saums explains the feasibility of such an endeavor through a pilot run with a technology called Orbus, signaling the advent of an era geared toward efficiency and foresight.

What makes these prospects exciting is the envisioned integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), providing real-time data and analytics—this is where Saums sees the future heading. He expounds on the desire to "see a dashboard with constant, constant readings." It points to a fundamental shift from manual patrols to a centralized, data-driven approach to monitoring city water systems.

Vendor Engagement: A Relationship Built on Support and Success

In selecting the right technology, Todd Soms is conscientious about the relationships formed with vendors. He stipulates not just an immediate solution, but an enduring one. Accountability and robust support mechanisms are pivotal: "They have to be able to pick up the phone when [the crew] have a question." Herein lies the essence of a successful engagement: a vendor who not only offers an innovative product but is invested in the city’s journey toward a leak-free future.

During the procurement process, vendors must navigate the municipal requirements adeptly and be transparent with what is included in their proposals. Saums insists on a clear-cut, no surprise billings, and a straightforward technical support model that's integrated into the cost from the get-go.

In Reflection: Bring in the New, but Keep the Water Flowing

Toledo's foray into new-age leak detection technology is more than just a municipal upgrade; it's a clarion call to others that progress in public utility management is attainable. It raises the bar for vendors, challenging them to create products that resonate with field workers and move the needle toward enhanced water conservation. The journey is not without its complexities—from training woes to unforeseen technicalities—but the intent shines clear: a steadfast move toward a more sustainable, secure, and water-wise future for all.

Todd Saums, alongside city authorities and similar leaders globally, recognizes that embracing technology in water resource management is not just a trending move but a necessary stride toward resilience. The conversation with Chad Smeltzer is not merely a procurement discussion—it's a testament to a changing landscape where innovation meets necessity, charting a course for a revolution in water management.

Check it out here on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! You can watch and ask questions on these platforms!

Thank you Chad Smeltzer

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