Inline CCTV Inspections of In-Service Pressurized Water Mains

Closed circuit television has become the de-facto standard for condition assessment of gravity sewers. These pipelines generally have access available through manholes that can be easily opened to the surface, and are not generally surcharged, making CCTV inspections with remote operated vehicles easy and effective. This technology is not often applied to pressurized water mains, for lack of an effective delivery mechanism that did not require significant service disruptions. This paper details the introduction of Sahara® Video, an adaptation of the Sahara Leak Location system which allows for CCTV inspections of in-service water mains. It describes how the patented mechanism used to pass a sensor through an in-service water main has been successfully used to introduce a CCTV camera into in-service water mains, and to survey long stretches of pipeline. Specifications for the system, as well as case studies describing projects to date, are presented.