Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool (SL-RAT)
The Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool (SL-RAT) offers a fast, cost-effective solution for assessing the condition of your collection system. Using transmissive acoustics, the SL-RAT identifies blockages and flow restrictions in small-diameter gravity sewer lines.
The system is comprised of two components: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter, placed over an open manhole, emits acoustic waves through the pipe, while the receiver, located at an adjacent manhole, listens for the known signal. Based on how much sound is transmitted through the pipe, the SL-RAT assigns a score from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating a fully blocked pipe and 10 reflecting ample flow capacity.
With the SL-RAT, a two-person crew can inspect up to 10,000 feet of sewer lines per day without flow contact or confined space entry, making it 10 to 20 times more cost-effective than traditional inspection methods. Over the past decade, more than 1,000 municipalities worldwide have used the SL-RAT to inspect over 400 million feet of sewer lines. Data reveals that 72% of the pipes assessed did not require cleaning. By pinpointing pipes that do not need immediate attention, cities have avoided unnecessary maintenance - saving valuable time, money, and water in the process.