Digital logging system

The Enigma from ADS Environmental Services is a digital correlation logging system used to locate leaks in buried water pipes. It combines noise logging and correlation into one operation to provide improved operational efficiency. Units include a carrying case, are available with three or eight optically programmed recording pods, and feature three user-defined start time and recording intervals. Pods are placed on listening locations and collected after recording intervals expire.

The pods are then placed back into the case, which automatically downloads the sound files and transfers them to the provided Enigma PC-based correlating software. The software automatically performs 27 correlations (eight-pod system) and displays the results in thumbnails color-coded in decreasing confidence (red, yellow, blue). Each thumbnail can be clicked on for complete full-screen correlation information and advanced filtering. Results can be overlaid on Google Maps for ease of location. Pods can be reprogrammed and redeployed within minutes for the next 27 correlations allowing a user to cover large areas in a short time. Loggers come standard with built-in, magnetically coupled accelerometers. Hydrophones are also available for plastic pipe. 800/633-7246; www.adsenv.com/leakdetection

Electrical current inspection

The ES-38 inspection unit from Electro Scan for sewer laterals automatically identifies and quantifies all cracks, joints and connection defects using technology to measure the variation of electrical current inside pipes. 800/975-6149; www.electroscan.com

Underground locator

The All Materials Locator (AML) from SubSurface Instruments Inc. (SSI) locates PVC piping along with other underground metallic and nonmetallic pipes and cables. The highly sensitive locator uses advanced, ultra-high microwave frequencies to find nearly any subsurface object that has an edge. The unit can locate plastic, metal, wood, cable and pipe. It functions in clay, wet soil, snow or standing water without the need for a separate transmitter and receiver, wires, clips or clamps. The lightweight locator is designed for the utility, water, gas and cable industries. 855/422-6346; www.ssilocators.com

R/T locating system

The 830 R/T (receiver/transmitter) locating system from Ditch Witch is designed to provide best performance at a high active frequency. The high-frequency locator can trace poor conductors, such as underground tracer wire, and locate short lengths of utility infrastructure.

The unit has a variety of automatic features, including gain control, auto depth, and visual and audio feedback. The ruggedly built, construction-grade system has an IP65 environment rating, and a battery life of 150 hours on the transmitter and 75 hours on the receiver. Adaptive filtering ensures that the unit is highly responsive in all modes of operation, providing left-to-right guidance quickly regardless of mode or operator style. In PV (peak verify) mode, the system gives operators an additional way to verify location. 800/654-6481; www.ditchwitch.com

Smoke tester

The Air-Loc Smoke Tester from Cherne Industries is available as a liquid smoke blower or a traditional smoke bomb smoke blower, allowing accurate detection of inflow, infiltration and cross connections. Made of aluminum casting, the lightweight tester makes transportation easy.

The tester also includes a poly fan blade that has high volume capabilities and can generate up to 3,769 cubic feet of airflow per minute. The unit is available with a Honda or Briggs & Stratton engine. Each engine has an easy-to-start vertical pull recoil starter. 800/843-7584; www.cherneind.com

Manhole smoker

The self-contained Turbo-Fog MH-75 manhole smoke blower uses leakproof liquid smoke cartridges to create dense, white smoke. Made of 11-gauge steel with a powder-coat finish, the blower generates over 7,500 cfm. No additional smoke bombs or garden sprayers are necessary. The unit is available with a Briggs & Stratton or Honda engine. 800/394-0678; www.turbo-fog.com

Laptop-based inspection

The MY400 municipal inspection system from MyTana Mfg. Company is designed for small to medium municipalities that operate, document and maintain sanitary sewer systems. The system includes a self-leveling color camera, which has 36 Super Brite LEDs for illuminating large lines, and a built-in 512 Hz transmitter for locating. The DCB12 control system incorporates a touch screen with drop-and-drag icons to easily identify common problems.

The laptop-based system also allows for easy recording, uploading and backup of inspection activities. The unit includes 400 feet of pushrod and an AccuStic 512 Hz locator/receiver, which pinpoints problems before digging the sewer line. The Super Sonde is also included, providing a stronger signal for locating deeper problems in the lines. Different system configurations and related accessories are available. 800/328-8170; www.mytana.com

Pan n' tilt camera

The Pan n' Tilt push camera from Ratech Electronics is a portable inspection system for pipes and drains as small as 3 inches in diameter. Camera options include black and white, color, self-leveling, micro and pan n' tilt. The camera can be retrofitted to existing Ratech systems or used as a stand-alone unit. It rotates 330 degrees up/down and 220 degrees left/right, allowing users to easily view the pipe condition in detail. The cost-efficient unit is adaptable to the company's Jet Cam.

Combining the camera with a Ratech control unit such as the Elite SD gives recording capability using SD/USB drives and allows MPEG video capture and JPEG image capture. Also included is an on-screen display overlay system providing electronic distance counter, time, date and eight pages of memory for listing problems and displaying company information. Standard 200-foot gel-rod cable is included. Longer lengths are available. 800/461-9200; www.ratech-electronics.com

Smoke blower

The Model 20 smoke blower from Superior Signal Company is designed for smoke testing of sewer lines to detect sources of inflow and other faults. Used with the company's classic smoke candles, the unit provides visible smoke that finds faults at a long distance. The Superior 3C classic smoke candle produces a volume of 40,000 cubic feet of smoke in three minutes, with the option of joining W3C smoke candles to create larger volumes of smoke for a longer time, when two or more candles are linked together.

The blower can also be configured with the company's smoke fluid system to offer a liquid-based alternative for mainline sewer inspection, featuring an insulated heating chamber with stainless steel injector to maximize dry smoke output, and produce high-quality liquid-based smoke. 800/945-8378; www.superiorsignal.com

Digital detector

The LD-18 digital water leak detector from SubSurface Leak Detection reduces ambient, intermittent noises from dogs barking, cars passing by, footsteps, people talking, etc. The digital electronics samples sounds every few thousandths of a second, and if it detects an intermittent sound, it suppresses the sound instantly. The unit can identify continuous leak sounds even in difficult situations such as busy streets. It is not necessary for the user to listen with the headphones if the detector hears the leak on the asphalt or the ground directly over the pipe. 408/249-4673; www.subsurfaceleak.com

Sonde locating kit

The PCS-800 pipe/cable and sonde locating kit from Schonstedt Instrument Company consists of a portable, belt-holstered pipe and cable locator, a 512 Hz sonde and various accessories. The instrument is capable of detecting all buried metallic pipes or cables, by direct connect or inductive means.

Either of two available 512 Hz sondes allows crews to pinpoint blockages or areas needing repair inside a pipe. In combination with an insertion device such as a push or tractor-style camera, pneumatic clean-out rodder or snake, the sonde or beacon emitting a 512 Hz signal is traced aboveground with the receiver. This enables quick and accurate location of the sonde, which means increased productivity by allowing more inspections, minimizing clean-out times, reducing excavation work and placing lines back in service more quickly. A free sonde is available for a limited time. 800/999-8280; www.schonstedt.com

Utility line locator

The SeekTech SR-20 utility line locator from RIDGID is powered by OmniSeek technology and uses a combination of multi-directional antennas, a mapping display and processing to provide users with information to effectively and easily locate underground utilities. The locator's high-resolution LCD, which is equipped with an automatic backlight function for low-light situations, displays line depth, current and field angle in real time to virtually guide users down the line.

The unit also offers a volume-adjustable audible function to let users know if they are on target. In addition to tracing transmitted frequencies, the locator offers passive modes that allow users to search for undocumented metallic lines. By using a combination of different locate readings, users can quickly and easily confirm a good signal and locate, or realize that there is distortion due to signal coupling in congested areas. The unit is easily foldable for compact storage and portability. 800/769-7743; www.ridgid.com

Handheld leak location

The HL10 handheld acoustic water leak location device from Vivax-Metrotech is easy-to-use and compact with acoustic and visible values for leak survey and leak pinpointing while reducing leak location time. The unit has high-quality acoustic properties, which enable it to reliably locate tiny leaks. With three filter settings, the device can be adjusted to the individual task and to suppress interfering background noise. The visual LED indicator assists the leak location procedure and the simple, one-handed operation enables users to accomplish the task with little effort. A built-in LED light allows for work in low-light areas. Users gain versatility when combining the unit with the GM80 wind-protected ground microphone. 800/446-3392; www.vivax-metrotech.com