Echologics Innovation Site Advances Smart Water Technology for Water Main Leak Detection and Pipeline Condition Assessment

Echologics made a significant investment to open a new innovation site dedicated to testing “smart” solutions for leak detection and pipe condition assessment, representing a significant commitment to addressing the growing challenge of aging water main infrastructure.

The research and development center, which is located in Walkerton, Ontario, Canada, enables Echologics’ engineers to test new solutions, showcase capabilities for visiting water utilities and other customers, and provide operators with hands-on training experiences.

The site features real life applications for water infrastructure technology, including more than 2,000 feet of plastic and metallic water mains with diameters ranging from 6-inches to 16-inches. It also includes a pump house that creates and maintains pressure conditions commonly found in municipal and industrial facilities and settings. Water network connections at the site are provided by Mueller Canada and include fire hydrants, resilient wedge gate vales, automatic flushing systems and service connection.

The site also serves as a training and certification facility for engineers and field staff from Echologics as well as business partners and utilities. The site is designed to enable field teams and operators to gain considerable experience with field assets, leak detection scenarios and pipeline condition assessment technologies under controlled conditions.