More RATs, Less Problems: Acoustic Inspection as a Smart Water Solution in Bend, Oregon

Effective sewer line maintenance is a vital aspect of collection system management, but optimizing resource allocation poses a persistent challenge for municipalities. The partnership between InfoSense and the City of Bend, Oregon establishes a new standard for collection system maintenance. InfoSense's comprehensive inspection project seamlessly combines acoustic assessments with level 1 manhole inspections. The Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool (SL-RAT®) uses transmissive acoustics to identify blockage anomalies in small-diameter gravity sewer lines. This rapid test, completed in just 3 minutes without flow contact, dramatically outpaces existing alternatives, offering savings of up to 10-20 times in both time and cost. During SL-RAT measurements, the InfoSense service crew conducts level 1 manhole inspections, providing the city with critical insights into the lid, collar, structure, and bench conditions, they also note the location of buried manholes and potential sources of inflow and infiltration. The data generated empowers Bend's maintenance department to proactively evaluate asset conditions before deploying resource-intensive cleaning equipment. This condition-based strategy directs Bend's resources toward the small percentage of pipes and manholes that demand attention. Leveraging this smart water technology as an initial screening tool for cleaning operations results in substantial cost, labor, and flushing water savings, all while significantly reducing the risk of basement backups and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). The outcomes of this project not only underscore the efficiency of acoustic inspection but also the overall health of Bend's collection system. Within a mere 10 days, a two-person team inspected a staggering 67,000 feet of sanitary sewer lines utilizing the SL-RAT, alongside examining over 300 manholes. The results painted an encouraging picture for Bend, with only 2 pipe segments scoring a 'Poor' rating from the SL-RAT. These segments were promptly addressed - as early as the same afternoon. The manhole inspections mirrored this success, revealing that a significant majority were in excellent condition, and any identified issues received immediate attention. Overall, this project delivered invaluable insights to city leaders. This presentation will delve into the business case for condition-based maintenance, offer a comprehensive project overview, and showcase key results, including the GIS deliverables.