Echologics, a developer and leading provider of acoustic-based technologies for water loss management, leak detection and pipe condition assessment, secured a three-year master services agreement with United Water. The agreement enables any operating division of United Water to readily utilize Echologics leak detection and condition assessment services. United Water is one of the nation?s leading water and wastewater utilities, supplying services to approximately 7 million people in the continental United States.
The agreement between United Water and Echologics is the result of a successful transmission main leak detection pilot project, completed in fall 2010. The pilot included testing of approximately 5 miles of water mains, including large diameter reinforced concrete pipe, pre-stressed cylinder concrete and cast-iron pipe for United Water New Jersey (UWNJ), a subsidiary of United Water. During the survey, Echologics non-invasively located a major leak on a river crossing, which was discovered on a 42-inch CIP water main, with an estimated loss of 100,000 gallons per day, and was isolated without breaking ground or disrupting service. As a result of the survey, UWNJ was able to quickly repair the leak, avoiding potential catastrophic failure.
?Leaks and aging water pipes present significant challenges to water service providers around the world,? said Antonio Vicente, Operations Engineer for United Water New Jersey. ?By partnering with Echologics, United Water can take a proactive, efficient approach to mitigating water leaks and assessing the structural condition of pipes, before service is compromised. Using advanced technology to address these items head-on is critical for United Water to continue fulfilling its primary objective, which is to provide its customers with the highest quality drinking water.?Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL) announced Oct. 31 that it has completed its spinoff from ITT Corp., and has begun operations as a $3.2 billion standalone global water technology company. Xylem?s market-leading product brands, applications expertise and technological strength enable the transport, treatment, testing and efficient use of water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company serves customers in more than 150 countries to address critical water issues such as growing water scarcity, aging infrastructure and more stringent environmental regulations.
?I?m extremely proud to announce the launch of a unique company, the product of more than 100 years of experience in the water business and the collective work and expertise of our nearly 12,000 employees and our strategic partners around the world,? said Gretchen McClain, president and CEO of Xylem. ?While our name has changed with the spinoff, our customers will find in Xylem the same commitment to providing local service to meet their specific needs while leveraging our global network, technological strength and applications expertise.?
Xylem serves a $30 billion segment of the global water equipment and services market through a distribution network consisting of a direct sales force and independent channel partners. The company?s products and services address the full cycle of water and are key in the collection, distribution and use of water. Well-known and respected product brands such as Bell and Gossett, Flojet, Flygt, Godwin, Goulds Water Technologies, WTW and YSI, among others, will continue their place in the water industry as a part of the Xylem portfolio.
