Getting More From The Pipes We Already Have

Pipes for water systems can lose capacity or go uninspected for decades, leaving utilities with an incomplete picture of what their infrastructure can deliver.

This episode looks at two technologies that SUEZ is bringing to North America by leveraging its global deployment experience. The first is ice pigging, a process that cleans pressurized pipes. The second is a floating device called SewerBall that gathers images and water-quality data.

Kevin Shipp, SUEZ’s general manager for ice pigging in North America, explains how a slurry of ice crystals removes accumulated debris and biofilm. He describes a North Carolina project where lift station flow increased from 120 to 490 gallons per minute, restoring capacity needed for a new subdivision.

Finding out what is happening inside a sewer presents a different challenge, especially where inspection trucks cannot reach. Charles Kruse, SUEZ’s North American SewerBall leader, shares how a floating device combines cameras with water-quality sensors to inspect previously inaccessible pipes.

There’s some fascinating chemistry in that detective work, too. Changes in pH, conductivity, and other measurements can offer clues about groundwater entering a sewer or an industrial discharge, helping utilities identify where closer attention is needed.

Abigail Antolovich, SUEZ’s vice president of sales and business development for Tech Solutions, connects these approaches to decisions about maintenance, repairs, and capital spending. She describes how operating experience, careful planning, and field support help utilities build confidence in adopting these technologies.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.