For Leak Repair Solution, Water Systems Turn To Man's Best Friend
Water systems across the nation face a common problem: leaks. And while infrastructure leaks may be widespread, identifying the precise locations of these leaks can be a challenge.
To combat the problem, a water system in Arkansas has a new employee that is offering an innovative, if unexpected, model for similar operations seeking creative solutions to resource needs.
“Central Arkansas Water has a new employee; a leak-detection dog named ‘Vessel,’” KARK reported. “She can tell the difference between typical groundwater and treated water leaking from the distribution system.”
Typically, water systems leverage crews of employees to identify the precise locations of leaks before they can be repaired. But compared to unleashing Vessel, this method can be expensive and inaccurate.
“Central Arkansas Water says in her first six months she’s had a 97 percent accuracy rate in identifying leaks,” per KARK. “Human crews usually spend hours looking for the source and testing the water before they can even begin to make repairs.”
As a rescue dog, Vessel’s provenance is one that other systems might turn to in training their own leak-sniffing canines. But there are some critical factors to take into consideration when looking for a furry water system employee.
“Finding the right dog for a job in the water sector isn’t a task to be taken lightly,” according to Municipal Sewer & Water. “It takes research and it takes time.”
Carrie Kessler, Vessel’s trainer and the operator of a canine training group called “On The Nose Water Leak Detection Dogs,” noted that suitable leak-detecting dogs will have no “prey drive” and won’t be distracted during their work. They should also love to play and have a high threshold of patience.
But if the right dog can be found and trained, utilities will reap more benefits than just cheap and efficient leak-detection labor.
“Another unexpected benefit for utilities, according to Kessler, is that they’re great for public relations and education,” per Municipal Sewer & Water. “Officials say the public is encouraged when they see dogs working with their local utilities to keep drinking water safe.”
To read more about the individuals who keep water systems operating, visit Water Online’s Labor Solutions Center.