Leaks waste both money and a precious natural resource, can cause significant property damage if not located and repaired, and can create a public health risk. A leak detection program is a vital element of an efficiently operated water distribution system.
The City of Wadsworth is very active in searching for and repairing leaks in both main lines and services. The system has more than 100 miles of water main and experiences, on the average, 30 to 50 water main breaks a year. The City also has approximately 8,500 water services of various sizes that require constant monitoring for leakage.
Detecting Leaks
Some leaks show up on the surface of the ground and are called in by residents. Others can find their way into nearby storm or sanitary sewers and would not be found without monitoring.
The City uses sensitive listening equipment attached to fire hydrants, water services and main line valves to conduct leak detection surveys. This equipment allows the operator to detect the sound or vibration induced by the water leaking from a pressurized pipe.
