How are buried water pipes performing?

Civil engineering senior Chandler Johnson and professor Rob Sowby published an article on non-invasive methods for pipeline condition assessment.

"It's hard to tell if a buried pipeline is leaking or performing as designed," says Johnson. "They're underground, pressurized, and sensitive, and we can't stop traffic or water service all the time to dig them up and check them out. As communities deal with aging and failing infrastructure, we need alternative methods to judge how pipes are performing."

Johnson and Sowby reviewed 20 risk models for pipeline failure and 10 techniques for leak detection (including acoustic tests, pressure waves, and thermal imaging), none of which require exposing the pipe. They then met with local water managers to get their perspectives. The work will help water utilities decide how to determine pipeline conditions and prioritize replacements.