Live Inspection Of Pressurized Pipelines
The first tool designed for live inspection of large diameter water mains, the Sahara® Pipeline Inspection System remains the most accurate tool available for detecting leaks, pockets of trapped gas, and structural defects in large mains. Sahara® is a critical component of condition assessment and water loss management programs for utilities around the world.
How it works:
Sahara® pipeline inspections are conducted while the main remains in service by inserting a sensor into any tap 2" (50 mm) or larger. A small parachute uses the flow of water to draw the sensor through the pipeline. The sensor is tethered to the surface, allowing for real-time results, and maximum control and sensitivity. Our surface tracking device allows the position of leaks and other pipeline features to be located to within 18" (500 mm). With over 2,000 leaks found in 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of inspections, Sahara® sets a standard which no other tool can match for accuracy and reliability.
Sahara® Advantages
- No disruption to pipeline service
- Use existing 2" (50 mm) taps
- Tethered control ensures no lost sensors
- Proven sensitivity to leaks as small as 0.005 gal/min
- Ask about our Leak Free Guarantee
- Over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of inspections
- Accurate surface tracking to map your pipeline
- Easy to use in mains 12" (300 mm) and up of all materials
- Can be used in mains as small as 4" (100 mm)
- Handles pressures up to 200 PSI (14 Bar)
Fact: Large Diameter Water Pipelines Leak
PPIC inspections have found an average of 1.4 leaks per mile of large diameter pipeline in North American cities. These leaks typically go undetected for longer periods of time, up to 20 years before they surface.
There may be a much greater financial and environmental ROI from long-term inspection programs focusing on large diameter distribution mains.
| Value of Water Lost (USD)* | ||||||
| Diameter of Leak Hole (inches) | 0.1 | 0.25 | 0.33 | 0.5 | 0.75 | 1 |
| 1 Year | $2,509 | $15,684 | $27,826 | $62,734 | $141,152 | $250,936 | 5 Years | $12,547 | $78,418 | $139,130 | $313,670 | $705,758 | $1,254,680 | 10 Years | $25,094 | $156,835 | $278,261 | $627,340 | $1,411,515 | $2,509,361 | 20 Years | $50,187 | $313,670 | $556,521 | $1,254,680 | $2,823,031 | $5,018,721 |
*Value of water loss calculated using $2,000 USD per million gallons of water as a typical retail price in the United States. PPIC does not guarantee financial or environmental outcomes.
Complementing Services:
- PPIC pipeline GIS software to store and quickly display condition assessment results to help optimize asset management.
- Remote Transient Pressure Monitoring (RTPM) to record the variation of pressures within a pipeline caused by sudden changes in velocity of the liquid, known as a "surge" or "water hammer".
Sahara® Pipeline Inspection Applications:
- Large Main Condition Assessment
- Detect large leaks indicating imminent failure
- Detect any through-wall corrosion pits causing pinhole leaks
- Detect cracks and failing joints losing even tiny amounts of water
- Video inspection of pipe linings
Water Loss Management:
- Sahara® has generated 100 million gallons/day in water savings
- Has detected 2 leaks/mile – more than any other system
- Average leak size of over 40,000 gallons/day (150,000 liters/day)
- Proven returns of 5 to 40 times total program cost
- Can also detect illegal taps while in use
Video Inspection of Live Mains:
- In-service CCTV inspection through a 2" (50 mm) tap
- Visual inspection of cement and other liners
- Internal corrosion and tuberculation assessments
- Locate and inspect line valves
- Check for debris and blockages
Wastewater Force Main and Siphon Assessment:
- Inspect lines with no service interruption
- Detect leaks at pressures as low as 5 psi (1/3 Bar)
- Locate pockets of trapped gas to prevent H2S corrosion
- Assess levels of air entrainment
- Evaluate pump performance
- Enable environmental compliance
- Accurately map force mains of any material
Pre-commissioning Inspections of New Pipelines:
- Sahara®-NoFlow arrangement for inspecting pipes with pressure but no flow
- Emergency services for contractors failing a pressure test
- Locate leaks as small as 0.005 g/min – less than the AWWA makeup allowance for most pressure tests
- Achieve Zero Leakage by running a planned Sahara® test with your hydrostatic pressure test