WaterOne is committed to providing excellent water service, and a crucial part of this commitment is ensuring that its infrastructure remains in optimal condition. To achieve this, the district regularly inspects its transmission mains. These inspections involve both visual and acoustic checks through a dark and extremely narrow 36-inch pipe.

For the acoustic checks, Workers tap on the pipe walls and listen for hollow sounds that might indicate issues indicating that the pipe may be damaged. However, examining the cramped interior of the concrete pipe can be a challenging and time-consuming task.

In the past, workers assembled a modified garden cart to move around inside the pipe, which was cumbersome and uncomfortable. Seeing an opportunity for improvement, Distribution Technician Kevin Bolen and Fleet Mechanic Craig Griffin created a new Pipeline Inspection Cart that simplifies the inspection process. They constructed a sturdy cart from steel tubing that rolls smoothly within the pipe. The cost-effective construction includes customized wheels that accommodate the pipe’s slope and also features an adjustable boat seat for comfort inside the cramped pipe.  

Their innovative design earned them third place in the Gimmicks and Gadgets category at the American Water Works Association Water Infrastructure Conference.

"The new carts enhance our ability to perform visual and acoustic inspections more efficiently," says Kevin. "We can spend less time making adjustments to the carts or going back to retrieve tools, allowing us to focus more on the inspections."