ABSTRACT
In situ technologies like the SmartBall can pinpoint leaks by rolling within a few inches of them, while correlators must make less specific estimates based on the relative strength of acoustic emissions. While the business model of Utilis revolves around new technology, the company has been proactive in partnering with municipalities to publish case studies demonstrating the efficacy of the system. While there have been a number of promising case studies, every service area has a different configuration of service lines, groundwater, and soil characteristics. Thus, while satellite leak detection is not ready to replace traditional crews, it is at a point where it is worth investigating, especially if favorable pilot pricing is offered as part of an investigation. However, as time passes and the cost and size of these radar units decrease, it may become possible to mount the units on small aircrafts or drones, making it possible to conduct microwave surveys on a smaller scale with higher resolution.
