The objective of this project is to advance and demonstrate an above-ground electromagnetic induction (EMI) technology for detecting the location and composition of underground water pipes in Department of Defense (DoD) installations with a high degree of accuracy. This technology will first be validated in a controlled test bed with buried water pipelines of various known compositions and locations. Following test bed validation and minor hardware/software enhancements, the APEX technology will be demonstrated on at least two DoD installation pipe networks. The field demonstrations will include the identification of the location and composition of the pipelines with a high degree of accuracy.

The EMI technology is called APEX, which incorporates a novel, three-dimensional (3D) transmit and receive design for the detection and classification of buried metal objects. This 3D design concept was developed, tested, and demonstrated through more than a decade of research as part of the SERDP & ESTCP Munitions Response program. The 3D feature is critical for obtaining accurate localization and characterization of subsurface metal objects and it was specifically developed to detect and characterize buried unexploded ordnance (UXO). APEX is currently in use on production UXO cleanup projects and has been demonstrated on applications for utility mapping and pipeline characterization; the latter applications utilize similar methods to those employed in UXO characterization. 

This project will demonstrate the ability of the APEX technology to identify the composition of buried water pipelines with 100% accuracy at depths of up to 10x the pipe diameter and ≥90% accuracy at depths of up to 20x the pipe diameter. With respect to the location of the buried pipelines, the project team will demonstrate the ability of APEX to achieve greater than 90% positional accuracy in both horizontal and vertical directions. The project team will also compare the recorded time and labor data from the APEX demonstrations with literature data on mainstream underground pipe detection tools to show at least 25% reduction in mapping time and labor costs. 

DoD installations rely on extensive, aging water distribution networks, many of which lack accurate mapping records of pipe locations and materials. Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to costly excavation, service disruptions, and increased risk of damaging adjacent utilities. APEX offers a cost-effective, scalable solution for accurately locating and identifying service line materials. By avoiding unnecessary excavation, APEX reduces the potential for third party damage to water, power, communication lines, lowering risk and avoiding additional repair costs. If successful, this project will enable a readily applicable, non-intrusive and low-cost method for infrastructure analysis. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)