Electro Scan Inc., a pipeline defect detection instrumentation, smartphone and cloud computing applications manufacturer, announced an agreement with Prism Contractors & Engineers, Inc. (Yorktown, Va.) to conduct a 20,000-foot project in Hampton Roads, Va. 

A key objective for the project will be to scan all sewer mains in a designated area of a local sewer authority and provide specific locations for each defect and pipe segment, including an estimated peak infiltration rate measured in gallons per minute. 

Sewer authorities in Hampton Roads are currently operating under a U.S. EPA Unilateral Administrative Order and a State of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Special Consent Order to reduce the frequency and severity of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) taking specific actions to develop a Regional Wet Weather Management Plan. 

“Everyone knows that CCTV is a great tool to record alignment problems, grease, and other obstructions in sewer pipes during low-flow and dry-weather conditions,” says Chuck Hansen, Electro Scan CEO. “But, rarely, if ever, can CCTV operators measure or even ‘see’ leaks, especially at joints, service connections, and in laterals. Since CCTV is typically never done during rainy conditions – when an operator would most likely ‘see’ a leak – and cannot be used when a pipe is full, it hasn’t been an effective tool in finding infiltration. 

“Electro Scan represents a breakthrough in sewer condition assessment. The technology’s ability to work in dry- and wet-weather conditions and when a pipe is partially or full of water, represents a new era in condition assessment. Available as an add-on to any existing CCTV truck, data is uploaded to our cloud-based Critical Sewers application. Able to easily switchover in the field, Electro Scan and CCTV represent a total solution for sewer authorities, regulators and engineers to help prevent sewer overflows, backups and basement flooding.” 

David A. Reaves, P.E., founder and president of Prism, says, “We are delighted to partner with Electro Scan for this important project. Working at a rate of 40 to 50 feet a minute, Electro Scan promises to be a great tool to quickly and easily locate hot spots and to help pre- and post-rehab decision making.” 

Founded in 1997, Prism Contractors & Engineers, Inc. is a full service civil engineering, design, construction and inspection firm with clients in the eastern United States. Equipped with three RapidView IBAK North America CCTV trucks, Prism has completed over 1.5 million feet of NASSCO PACP-based CCTV projects since 2009. 

Electro Scan products are designed in accordance with ASTM Standard F2550-06 and able to identify, locate and measure defects. Premium users are provided an estimated peak rate of infiltration, by defect. In addition to assessing non-conductive pipe materials (e.g. asbestos cement, brick, clay, plastic, resin lining, reinforced concrete, etc.), Electro Scan assesses pipe diameters ranging from 3 to 60 inches and can determine if previously completed point repairs and lining projects are leak-free. 

About Electro Scan
Electro Scan Inc. delivers pipeline defect detection instrumentation, smartphone and cloud computing applications that meet the technological needs of wastewater utilities, commercial businesses, residential customers and engineering organizations worldwide. Electro Scan’s suite of next generation condition assessment technologies allows customers to manage, protect, operate and certify their infrastructure.