This March, Maynilad started using the Sahara® mobile leak detection system to strengthen its ongoing leak repair drive and lessen the adverse effects of El Niño on its water supply. Maynilad is the first Asian water utility company to use this equipment for reducing Non Revenue Water (NRW).
The state-of-the-art mobile leak detection system will be initially deployed to Sampaloc, Manila and the north region of the Maynilad concession, where there are high concentrations of leaking primary lines. Early this year, Maynilad engineers were sent to the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) in Canada to undergo technical training on how to operate Sahara®.
Sahara® uses an acoustic sensor that is inserted into a pipe while tethered to a monitoring system on the surface. The sensor, which is carried by the water current through the pipe, can determine the exact location of leaks as small as 1 liter/hour and other pipe defects to within 18” (500-mm) in real time. The technology allows Maynilad to isolate pipe defects without shutting down water supply to customers.
PPIC claims that Sahara® has generated 100 Million gallons per day in water savings. It can detect two leaks/mile – more than any other current system. The technology can also detect illegal taps while in use and locate pockets of trapped gas to prevent corrosion.
Maynilad is managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI). The DMCI-MPIC consortium took control of Maynilad on January 24, 2007.
