Echologics Asbestos Cement Pipe Condition Assessment

Asbestos Cement (AC) water mains were installed throughout North America, Europe and Australia from the late 1920s to the early 1980s and still form a significant component of the water distribution systems of many cities. If fact, it is estimated that 18% of water distribution pipes in North America are constructed of AC, according to the American Water Works Association.

The ability to accurately and cost-effectively detect leaks and assess the wall thickness of Asbestos Cement pipe has become a critically important issue among water service providers, as the effective wall thickness of AC pipe is extremely vulnerable to degradation caused by aggressive water flow. The loss of effective wall thickness increases the risk of costly water leaks and main breaks.Unfortunately, traditional methods for AC pipe assessment are considerably expensive and inaccurate.