Reynoldsburg to buy leak-detection sensors to find underground water losses

City staff told the Public Service and Transportation Committee on July 14 that the city will acquire leak-detection equipment from 64 Second to locate underground water losses. Director Dorman said the devices are installed on fire hydrants and use acoustic analysis to map leaks as a colored "heat map" to pinpoint repair locations.

"It kinda looks like a heat map," Dorman said. "When you turn this on, you'll see these bubbles and these colors. And when it appears red, you're you're seeing a leak, basically, that's occurring underground." He told the committee the system can help the city find and fix leaks the water meter does not isolate and that reducing leaks will save water and improve pressure.

Committee members asked whether the purchase would overlap with other contracts or inspections. Council Member Hill asked whether the tool would render the EMH&T sewer inspections redundant; Dorman replied the systems are different and that CCTV sewer inspections and acoustic water-leak detection serve distinct functions.

Action: the committee voted to forward the ordinance authorizing the contract with 64 Second to council for approval.

Why it matters: locating underground leaks can reduce water loss, lower costs and improve pressure and system reliability, city staff said. The purchase was presented as budgeted and part of preventive maintenance activities.