Commercial & Municipal Leak Detection Case Studies

Challenge

A Lower Mainland municipality was experiencing elevated non-revenue water in a district metered area. Multiple leak survey rounds had failed to locate the source.

Method

Our team deployed Zonescan acoustic loggers at 42 points across the DMA overnight. Data analysis identified two high-priority zones. Acoustic correlation and ground microphone confirmation located an underground main leak and a service connection leak.

Result

Detected two underground leaks in the district metered area using correlation and acoustic logging, reducing water loss by 18%. Both leaks were repaired with minimal excavation based on exact coordinates provided.

Challenge

A 32-storey residential tower in Vancouver was experiencing intermittent water staining in suites on floors 20–24. The strata council had received conflicting reports from two plumbing contractors.

Method

Our team accessed the riser stack from mechanical room access points and applied acoustic correlation and pressure isolation testing between floors. Thermal imaging of adjacent walls confirmed moisture location.

Result

Identified a concealed riser leak on the 23rd floor without wall demolition. Exact location was marked and confirmed, allowing surgical access by the remediation contractor.

Challenge

A Surrey manufacturing facility identified unexplained water in a sub-floor mechanical area. The process line ran beneath a production floor, making access impossible during operating hours.

Method

After hours, tracer gas was injected into the process line and detected at surface level using a sensitive sniffer across the production floor. Signal peaked at a single location, allowing the exact pipe segment to be identified.

Result

Tracer gas detection isolated the underground process line leak with zero production shutdown. Repair was completed on a planned weekend shutdown.

Challenge

Water intrusion through a below-grade parkade membrane was causing suite damage in a 24-storey mixed-use tower. The source was unconfirmed and multiple membrane repairs had failed to stop the ingress.

Method

Moisture mapping with capacitance meters identified the extent of saturation. Tracer gas injection into the drainage plane confirmed the primary breach location. Thermal imaging of the floor slab confirmed migration path.

Result

A specific 14-square-metre membrane breach was identified and mapped, allowing a targeted repair that resolved the long-standing ingress issue.