MWH Soft Releases Solution For Leak Detection In Water Distribution Systems

Broomfield, CO -- MWH announced the worldwide release of InfoWater Leak Detection Manager (LDM), a geocentric modeling solution for detecting underground water system leakage. Based on the UK water industry standard step-testing method, this water conservation solution helps water utilities detect where leakage is occurring in the network. InfoWater LDM has the ability to help water utilities worldwide eliminate inefficiencies in their drinking water distribution systems and the resulting loss of revenue. It can also help reduce the risk of contamination, lower operational costs associated with increases in pumping and treatment, improve system pressures and firefighting capability, and forge closer ties with customers.

The world's limited supply of fresh water requires careful management. Yet according to the 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, prepared by the American Society of Civil Engineers, "Each day, 6 billion gallons of clean, treated drinking water disappears, mostly due to old, leaky pipes and mains -- enough water to serve the population of a state the size of California." The California Department of Water Resources estimates that about 81 billion gallons of water leaks from municipal systems in the state each year. Some of the factors contributing to leakage include inadequate corrosion protection, older mains, faulty installation, material defect, excessive water pressure (and objectionable pressure surge), ground movement due to extreme weather conditions, and excessive loads and vibration from road traffic. When leaks prevent water from reaching end consumers, utilities lose revenue and incur unnecessary costs.

InfoWater LDM provides water utilities with a powerful operational tool to control the loss of water they have paid to obtain, treat, and pressurize. It also reduces the chances that leaks will cause major property damage, adverse environmental impacts, and detrimental or fatal water quality episodes. Reducing leakage can also defer treatment plant expansion and eliminate the need to search for future water resources to accommodate population growth.

Built atop ArcGIS (ESRI, Redlands, California), the groundbreaking application seamlessly integrates advanced water network modeling and computational graph-theory to provide a fully automated step-test leak detection solution in the GIS environment. In the step-test method, the network is subdivided into distinct areas with excessive leakage. The size of each area is then systematically reduced by closing valves on each section of pipe in succession, while measuring changes in the flow rate at a meter installed on the input main to the area. A large drop in flow rate indicates excessive leakage in the last section of pipe closed.

"The social, environmental and economic benefits of detecting and correcting water main leakage cannot be underestimated," said Roger Ro, MWH Soft Vice President of Product Development. "If not quickly controlled, leaks can waste a tremendous amount of water. InfoWater LDM gives utilities a powerful water conservation tool they can use to more effectively manage water main leaks, instantly see the extent of the problem, and make timely replacements or repairs. This capability will help them minimize public health risk and economic loss and conserve water - preserving a precious natural resource and improving their bottom lines."

"No one in the water distribution modeling software industry has introduced more geocentric innovations or done more than MWH Soft to bring users together in a community whose value grows exponentially as the community grows," said Paul F. Boulos, Ph.D, the company's President and COO. "Our customers have been asking for this critical water conservation capability, and we worked hard to make InfoWater LDM the simplest, most powerful tool with the highest pound-for-pound return. The result offers the ultimate approach to developing the soundest and most cost-effective leak detection program to sustain safer, more reliable drinking water supply infrastructures. We are proud to introduce a revolutionary product that will make an immediate difference in people's lives, our communities, and our society."

SOURCE: MWH Soft