TPT November 2011

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Industry News
ZUMB.707.0107.E_FEB.2011
Being a
pioneer means
having vision
Thomas Edison
Visit us at:
26 - 30 March 2012,
Düsseldorf, Germany
Water pipeline inspection technologies
WACHS Water Services and Pipeline
Inspection & Condition Analysis Corporation
(PICA) have formed a strategic alliance
based on a shared vision of helping utilities
better manage aging water distribution
infrastructure. The alliance will develop and
deploy specialisedmetallic pipeline inspection
technology solutions through collaborative
R&D, manufacturing and marketing.
With an estimated 240,000 water main
breaks each year in the US alone, it is
becoming critical for utilities to determine the
actual condition of metallic water mains to
proactively reduce breaks and improve cost
effectiveness of water main repair, lining
or replacement programmes. The aligned
offering of Wachs Water Services and PICA
will provide water system operators and
owners the ability to extend the reliable life
expectancy of water pipelines.
“There are many factors that influence
the condition of a water pipeline. The trick
is to have actual information to determine
which segments need to be replaced, which
can be lined and which segments are still in
good shape,” said Cliff Wilson, president of
Wachs Water Services. “We are very excited
to have established this alliance with PICA,
and we continue to build a portfolio of industry
leading pipeline inspection technologies to
ensure that our clients have the right tool for
the job.”
PICA technologies can be applied to
either distribution or transmission mains,
and provide accurate measurements of the
remaining wall thickness of the pipeline.
The patented technologies travel through
the inside of a water main and use an
electromagnetic field that can both detect
and size graphitisation, pitting, erosion
and cracks – even through liners, scale
and tuberculation. PICA’s metallic pipeline
assessment Hydrasnake™ portfolio offers
strong synergies with Wachs Water Services
in-line leak detection and pressurised
main CCTV offerings, the LDS1000™ and
Investigator™.
“We are investing in this alliance because
we believe that there is a tremendous
opportunity for utilities to get ahead of
the aging water infrastructure crisis,” said
Dave Russell, president of PICA. “Our
direct condition assessment services are
an integral part of asset management
programmes for clients worldwide. Wachs
Water Services is currently delivering
several of the largest water network renewal
projects in North America and their clients
will be able to immediately benefit from
PICA’s proven metallic pipeline inspection
capabilities as well.”
“The alliance timing is excellent as PICA
recently opened a new office in Charlotte,
North Carolina,” added Chris Garrett,
general manager of PICA USA. “There is
a growing demand for our proven pipeline
inspection technologies, and this alliance
with Wachs Water Services will allow us to
further expand our footprint to better service
the market.”
Wachs Water Services – USA
Fax: +1 847 415 2196
Email:
Website: