Adduttrice CBM

■ Inspection distance: 30 km

■ Pipe age: 35+ years

■ Pipe material: Steel

■ Pipe diameter: 350 mm

Montebelluna, Italy

Challange

Drinking water supply line with more than 30Bar of pressure suspected of leaks; previous detection methods hadn’t located them. Need minimal disruption, accurate detection

What SmartBall Did

SmartBall was deployed to inspect ~30km of supply & return lines (steel pipes ~900-1000 mm dia). It detected leaks (including two simulated leaks) and mapped directional changes using gyroscopes to locate anomalies.

Results

Detected 21 leaks; estimated annual water loss of ~100,000 m³; allows prioritizing repairs; non-revenue water reduction.

Adduttrice Fontana - Carpi

■ Inspection distance: 7 km

■ Pipe age: Less than 5 years

■ Pipe material: Cast Iron

■ Pipe diameter: 700 mm

Mirandola, Italy

Challange

Problem: Unidentified leaks causing pressure drops

Prior Attempts: Multiple technologies failed to accurately locate leaks

What SmartBall Did

It detected leaks and mapped directional changes using gyroscopes and magnetometer to locate anomalies.

Results

  • Leaks Detected: The SmartBall® inspection successfully identified and located two leaks—one small and one medium-sized.

  • Water Loss Quantification: The leaks resulted in an average water loss of 30 liters per minute, enabling accurate estimation of annual non-revenue water and prioritization of repairs.

  • Benefits: By precisely locating the leaks, the project facilitated targeted interventions, reducing water losses, optimizing network efficiency, and preventing potential escalation of issues. This not only saved resources but also supported sustainable water management in the region.

  • Comparison Insights: Unlike previous technologies that failed to detect or locate the leaks effectively, SmartBall® provided verifiable results with high accuracy, proving its value in commissioning and maintenance scenarios.

This project exemplifies how Smartflow srl's expertise with SmartBall® technology delivers actionable insights for water utilities, helping to combat water scarcity and improve infrastructure resilience.