Water leakage recovery is often the best and most economical source to meet increased demand, compared to building or expanding treatment facilities.

Small diameter and service pipes leak detection sizes 10mm and above

The Pipepod S^TM

API offers commercial and domestic leak detection surveys using the latest Technology from PIPA. The unique Pipepod S leak detection product enters a pipeline via a metered boundary box outlet, and enables an operative to not only identify a leak in a pipeline, but to also pinpoint its exact location. The 100 metre system is fully portable with battery powered supply, and can be used day or night due to its silent operation (no external power source or generator required).
The product offers accurate leak identification and location within pressurised potable water service pipelines from 10mm diameter and above and is rated to 10 BAR pressure.

Service Benefits

System inserted directly into the pipeline at standard operating pressure through a specially designed chlorination seal arrangement which sanitises the cable prior to insertion
Pipepod S can be pushed up to 100 metres to detect leaks with instant results identified by a trained operative
The system can be used in all standard water pipe materials and through different types of access fittings
No expensive consumables required
A true no dig technology product

Leak detection system for small diameter water pipes 2-5 Inch

The Pipepod LS ^TM

The Pipepod listening stick is a unique leak detection product that enters a pipeline via a direct entry point as small as 1 inch diameter
The 100 metre system is fully portable with battery powered supply
Accurate leak identification and location within pressurised potable water pipelines from 50mm diameter and above rated to 10 BAR pressure
System inserted directly into the pipeline at standard operating pressure through a specially designed chlorination seal arrangement which sanitises the cable prior to insertion
Pipepod LS^TM can be pushed up to 100 metres to detect leaks with instant results identified by a trained operative
The system can be used in all standard water pipe materials and through different types of access fittings
No expensive consumables required
A true no dig technology product

Leak detection in pipe sizes 6-18 inch

The Pipepod ^TM

API offers leak detection surveys using the latest Technology from PIPA. The unique Pipepod leak detection capsule enters a pipeline via a through bore style fire hydrant or direct tapping and enables an operative to not only identify a leak in a pipeline, but to also pinpoint its exact location. The 100 metre system is fully portable with battery powered supply, and can be used day or night due to its silent operation (no external power source or generator required).
The product offers accurate leak identification and location within pressurised potable water service pipelines from 6 inch diameter and above and is rated to 10 BAR pressure.

The PIPA Pipepod ^TM – Records sound not heard by the human ear

Service Benefits

System inserted directly into the pipeline at standard operating pressure through a specially designed chlorination seal arrangement which sanitises the cable prior to insertion
Pipepod can be pushed up to 100 metres to detect leaks with instant results identified by a trained operative
The system can be used in all standard water pipe materials and through different types of access fittings
No expensive consumables required
A true no dig technology product

Large Diameter Pipes (long distance surveys)

The Pipepod ^TM is a highly advanced condition assessment technology for the leakage inspection of large diameter in-service transmission mains. The platform technology is the smallest long distance leak detection tool in the world.
The unique product can be deployed up to 2000 metres with positive flow (dependant on pipe configuration) and can work under a wide variety of flow conditions. The PIPA product incorporates a state of the art ultra-high response hydrophone sensor for precise leak detection inspections. The technology is proven in all pipe materials and has successfully identified pipeline leaks in pressures as low as 0.5 Bar.

The unique capsule device can enter pipelines buried at any depth and even via through-bore style fire hydrants. This is a substantial cost saving compared with other market products, as typically deep concrete chambers are installed for system entry that may cost around £20,000 per chamber.
All surveys include the provision of a post analysed and detailed data report, and acoustic data supplied on a USB memory stick on the day of the survey.

Image of Pipepod^TM leak detected and confirmed on a 12 inch PVC water main

New Water Mains/Failed Hydrostatic Tests

New installation of Water Mains

Modern pipeline materials have rapidly reduced the initial material cost, increased the rate of installation along with expected life expectancy. However there are associated issues with these products and therefore during installations fail safes should be put in place.

Leak detection

There are many technologies available on the market today, however these are typically material dependant, have size of main limitations, depth of main and surface material type is also an issue.

Traditional leak detection techniques:

Correlators- These are not reliable or accurate on plastics and Large diameter Mains, and may result in dry digs through inaccurate noise logging
Gas trace- Requires a porous land surface structure and not successful on Large diameter mains
Listening sticks- Dependant on depth of main and land surface structure
Ground microphones- As above

The latest leak detection technology
Insertion technology-This technology is inserted directly into the pipeline under standard operating pressure, this may be chlorinated for use in potable water networks.

The sensor head is navigated along the pipeline, and as it passes the leak, the trained operative can both see and hear what’s happening within the pipeline, and therefore detect leaks in all materials (hydrophone can detect the direct exit point of a leak).

This technology has now been proven to detect the most difficult to trace leaks in all pipe materials, irrelevant of depth of main and ground surface type or structure.

The latest leak detection and CCTV Technology
The PIPA range of products (Insertion Technology) – Live and pressurised CCTV/Acoustic surveys are undertaken on a length of pipeline to establish condition, configuration and leakage or failure points of interest. These systems can be used on all pipe sizes, materials and up to a distance of 2 km.

Design and Pre planning for insertion technology
During the design process of all pipelines there are several ways of pre planning for the possible use of insertion technology.

Fire hydrant type- The latest hydrant design is that of a through bore fire hydrant, these are open access hydrants that offer a 60mm bore direct port into the pipeline and in turn enables the use of insertion technology, CCTV Investigation along with flow meters and all other insertion technologies.
These are now being adopted throughout the UK by most of the Utility suppliers and are currently manufactured by AVK, Saint-Gobain and Viking Johnson.

Insertion and inspection chambers- Thames Water currently is proactive in Trunk main monitoring in the London area, by installing insertion access chambers on strategic pipelines for monitoring mains with a history of bursts or leakage, this approach should be adopted during the design stage on newly laid water mains as the cost would be sufficiently less during the new lay process.

The Pipeline™ in Pipe Cabling Product
Incorporating draw lines in the design stage of all new pipe installations, offer a simple but effective failsafe in case of any future pipeline issues.
The Pipeline™ is a unique cabling system manufactured specifically for in-line cabling of newly constructed pipelines. The product can also be retrofitted into existing pipes.
The 4mm galvanised steel polyethylene coated product is designed for long term exposure to chlorinated water, and designed for potable water pipe installation.
The cable is suitable for all pressurised and depressurised pipe installations.
The cable design is uniform to allow sealing plates to be installed onto the cable at either end in the event of a pressurised pipe inspection.
The cabling allows the pull through of leak detection, monitoring, cleaning and inspection technology in the event of a failed hydrostatic test or leak, or for routine cleaning or testing. This product remains in the pipeline as long as required.

Installation
The cable is installed into the pipeline during the pipe construction process (can also be retro-fitted), with strategic isolation points on the pipe. The cable is then held in place by the compression of a gate valve or fitting either end.

To retrofit into pipelines the cable is floated through a live water pipe and extracted through a secondary seal arrangement.

In the event of a pressurised technology pull through, the cable is passed through a seal arrangement and attached to a cabling device for the pull through of required technology. During this procedure a secondary cable is attached and in turn is pulled into the pipeline replacing the existing cable.

System Set upImage of cabling in pressurised pipeline pulling through a technology device

The isolation valves or fittings are opened either end, and the pull through technique is then undertaken. Once the pull through is complete, the isolation of valves or fittings is undertaken.
Utilising the Pipeline product is a way of future proofing and monitoring all high risk pipes or conduits.
Strategic installation is advised on pipes close to river crossings and train lines.
The unique product is supplied in 1km drums, however can be manufactured in lengths of up to 5km.
The product complies with DWI materials in contact regulations, and has a service life of 5 years.

Leak Detection Using Correlation

When a liquid under pressure escapes from a pipeline it creates a sound pressure wave (leak noise) which travels along the pipe from the exit point.
The velocity at which the sound travels within the pipe depends mainly on the pipe diameter and material. Most leak correlators will use two sensors which are attached to the pipe on either side of the leak point (usually onto a hydrant using magnets).
To perform a correlation the user will input the distance between the two sensors, and the pipe material (if known) into the base unit. Each sensor records the sound and transmits this data to a base unit, which measures the time difference between the leak noise signals arriving at each sensor. From this data, the base unit can calculate the precise location of the leak if present.
API utilise the most advanced and up to date correlators on the market today to resolve leakage issues in a wide range of pipe materials.