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  • Sewer
    • Flow Monitoring
    • CCTV
    • Large Pipe Tasks
    • Smoke Testing
    • Manhole Inspection
    • FELL 41
    • SSET Scanning
    • Lateral & Mainline Prob
  • Water Distribution
    • Total System Services
    • Flow & Pressure Measurements
    • Meter Accuracy Testing
    • Loss of Head "C-Factor" Testing
    • Water Audit
    • Valve and Hydrant Exercising
    • Hydro Scouring
  • Gas
    • Cross Bores
  • How We Work
    • Example Report
    • FlowLingo
    • The Hydromax Approach
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The Hydromax Approach

Hydromax understands the importance of providing high quality data to support expensive infrastructure improvement decisions.  The next several paragraphs will summarize the procedures Hydromax conducts to ensure only the best data is collected and delivered on time.

Flow Monitoring
Flow monitoring requires an intense QA/QC program because many flow monitoring studies have a short duration of just a few months.  An issue that arises early in a flow monitoring program can cause devastating results if it is not identified and corrected early on in the study.  It is for these reasons that Hydromax has implemented a rigid QA/QC process throughout the life of the project.  The following steps ensure high quality data is collected with excellent overall uptime.

• Flow meter sites are revisited within 24-48 hours after installation to confirm equipment operation and verify the calibration.
• The sites are visited every 7-10 days to confirm the meter’s accuracy and document changes in the hydraulic conditions.
• Hydromax uses a web module to allow the client to track the flow monitor study and observe system performance from any web-enabled computer.
• Utilize a communication database, FlowLingo, where field crew observations are logged and delivered to the office daily.  FlowLingo also permits the data analyst to provide daily feedback to the crews to make necessary adjustments to the meters in a timely manner. 
• If telemetry is not being used and field crews are collecting and supplying the data, it is checked and, if necessary, suggested changes are made within a 24-hour period.
• Throughout the flow monitoring study, Hydromax USA utilizes computer technology and experienced data analysts to determine the final flow monitoring dataset.
• Final deliverable is reviewed by a Professional Engineer.

The implementation of the steps above led to Hydromax USA having 98.1% accurate and uptime data for 2007.  This information was based on over 225 flow monitor installations performed in 2007.

CCTV
Hydromax USA’s initial quality control feature is that it mandates all of its CCTV operators and office analysts to be trained and certified in the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP).  Office analysts check approximately 10% of the CCTV data to ensure quality video and proper defect coding.  The office analysts use computer mapping software to track which pipelines have been televised and, then compare that to the project scope.  This ensures that all of the scheduled inspections are completed.  Once the inspections are delivered to the client, the data is archived on Hydromax’s 3 TB file server.

Smoke Testing
Hydromax USA performs smoke testing using 4,000 CFM blowers and global positioning system (GPS) technology to locate and describe system defects.  The handheld GPS units provide mapping grade coordinates and provide data forms to record detailed information about the defect conditions. 

GPS units are used to document thorough smoke coverage throughout the sewer system.  This ensures that all pipe segments included in the scope are tested and any blockages are located.

Smoke testing is performed only when favorable soil conditions exist to maximize smoke emission.  More specifically, Hydromax avoids smoke testing when the ground is excessively wet or frozen.

Smoke test data is provided to the office for QA/QC review on a daily basis, where the photos, defects, and progress are reviewed and mapped.  Feedback is provided to the crews the following day to clear up any questions that may arise.  This rapid review process minimizes the need to perform any additional testing and speeds up the delivery of the final report.

Manhole Inspections
Manhole inspections are conducted to measure features and identify defects at  manholes.  Hydromax uses GPS technology to perform manhole inspections and locate the positions of the manholes with sub-meter accuracy.  The GPS locations make it easy to communicate and document that each manhole was inspected and the location was not confused with another manhole due to any difficulties in reading the map.  Bearing direction of the outgoing pipe, along with clock positions of the incoming pipes, are collected to establish the orientation of the manhole in reference to the nearby sewer network.

Manhole inspection data and photo files are delivered to the office for review on a daily basis via Hydromax’s FTP site.  The office analyst reviews the information each day and prepares requests for additional information and tracks the progress of the study.  This daily turnaround permits for efficient data review and on-time report delivery.