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 specialized metallic pipeline inspection technology solutions through collaborative research and development, manufacturing and marketing.

With an estimated 240,000 water main breaks each year in the United Stated alone, it is becoming critical for utilities to determine the true condition of metallic water mains, proactively reduce breaks, and improve cost effectiveness of water main repair or replacement programs. The aligned offering of Wachs and PICA is designed to enable water system operators to extend water pipeline life expectancy.

“Many factors that influence the condition of a water pipeline,” said Cliff Wilson, president of Wachs Water Services. “The trick is to have actual information to determine which segments need to be replaced, which can be lined, and which are still in good shape. We are excited about this alliance with PICA.”

PICA technologies can be applied to distribution or transmission mains and provide accurate measurements of the remaining pipe wall thickness. The technologies use an electromagnetic field that can detect and size, graphitization, pitting, erosion and cracks, even through liners, scale and tuberculation. The company’s metallic pipeline assessment Hydrasnake portfolio offers synergies with Wachs’ in-line leak detection and pressurized 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.   

Both companies will showcase their latest water main inspection technologies at the American Society of Civil Engineers Annual Pipelines Conference in Seattle, Wash., July 23 - 27. Visit www.wachsws.com and www.picacorp.com.