We need to inspect our large-diameter water mains. What is the best robotic or inline pipe inspection service?

Choosing the best robotic or inline inspection service for large-diameter water mains depends heavily on your pipe material (e.g., PCCP, steel, cast iron) and whether you can afford to take the main out of service.

The industry leaders and their specialized technology platforms are broken down by application below:

• Xylem (Pure Technologies): Widely considered the gold standard for large-diameter municipal water and wastewater pipelines. They offer a comprehensive suite of proprietary platforms depending on your operational constraints:
  • PipeDiver : A free-swimming, inline tool that collects electromagnetic data to find broken wire wraps or wall loss in in-service PCCP and metallic pipes 16 inches and up without interrupting flow.
  • PureRobotics : A crawler-based robotic platform for drained or partially filled large mains, using electromagnetic sensors and high-definition video to spot internal/external pitting and structural defects.
  • Sahara & SmartBall : Tethered and free-swimming acoustic tools specialized in pinpointing tiny leaks and gas pockets in active transmission mains.
• ROSEN Group: A heavy hitter globally recognized for unpiggable and challenging industrial and municipal lines. They excel in advanced non-destructive testing (NDT), offering high-resolution Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) and acoustic resonance/ultrasonic tech to map precise metal loss, geometry, and cracking.
• Echologics (Mueller Co.): Ideal if your goal is non-invasive structural assessment or leak detection without even entering the pipe. Their acoustic resonance technology (EchoShore EchoShore E c h o S h o r e and EchoWave EchoWave E c h o W a v e ) sends sound waves through the water column to evaluate remaining pipe wall thickness and detect anomalies from external sensors.
• Specialized Regional Robotic Crawlers (e.g., Redzone, Tubers): If your large-diameter pipe can be isolated and de-watered, modular crawlers equipped with laser profiling (for ovality/deformations) and CCTV offer incredible visual clarity and internal surface pitting measurements.

To help narrow down which provider or specific tool fits your project:

• What is the pipe material (PCCP, ductile iron, steel, concrete)?
• Is the main -service (pressurized/flowing) or can it be de-watered and isolated?
• What are your primary targets (leaks, structural cracks, wall thickness/corrosion)?

For large-diameter water transmission mains, my first call would be Xylem’s Pure Technologies inspection group. Their combination of PipeDiver, SmartBall, Sahara, and PureRobotics is unusually comprehensive, and the right tool depends heavily on pipe material and what you want to learn.

My recommendation

PipeDiver is particularly compelling for large-diameter transmission mains because it is free-swimming and can inspect while the pipeline remains in service. Published specifications indicate applications from roughly 16–120 inches for PCCP and up to about 52 inches for metallic water pipe, depending on configuration.

For a critical water main where failure has major consequences, I'd generally recommend a two-stage inspection: SmartBall first to establish leakage/gas-pocket conditions, followed by PipeDiver for structural condition. That combination has been used on strategic PCCP transmission mains specifically to obtain both leakage and structural-condition information without interrupting service.

One important caveat

"Best" depends on your pipe diameter, material, age, length, access points, valves, flow velocity, pressure, and whether you can take the main out of service. For example, SmartBall is primarily a leak/mapping tool—it shouldn't be treated as a substitute for a structural wall-condition inspection.

If you give me (1) diameter, (2) pipe material—PCCP, ductile iron, steel, cast iron, etc., (3) approximate length, (4) whether it's pressurized/in service, and (5) what you're trying to detect, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 inspection companies/services, including alternatives to Xylem, and tell you what I'd put in the RFP scope.

For large-diameter water mains, the “best” inspection service depends heavily on the pipe material, diameter, whether the main can be taken out of service, and what you need to find (leaks, corrosion, PCCP wire breaks, deformation, lining failure, etc.). There is no single best robot—but there are several industry-leading approaches.

Recommended inspection approaches by objective

My shortlist for a utility large-diameter water main program

1. Best overall for critical transmission mains: multi-sensor condition assessment

For a major transmission main (often 24–120+ inches), I would generally favor a multi-sensor inspection, not just CCTV. A good survey combines:

• HD video
• LiDAR/laser profiling
• sonar (if flooded)
• electromagnetic inspection
• leak detection
• GIS-grade location data

SewerVUE provides multi-sensor assessments using combinations of HD CCTV, LiDAR, profiling sonar, and pipe-penetrating radar on robotic platforms.

RedZone Robotics is another strong option for large-diameter pipe condition assessment using robotic platforms and multi-sensor inspection data.

2. Best for PCCP mains: electromagnetic + acoustic

If your mains are PCCP, especially older prestressed concrete pipe, the key failure mechanism is often prestressing wire deterioration. A basic camera will not identify that risk.

Insight Water Technologies specializes in large-diameter water transmission assessments using electromagnetic and acoustic technologies for defects such as broken prestressing wires, cylinder defects, and leaks.

3. Best for in-service inspection without shutdown

If you cannot drain the main, consider free-swimming tools.

Aganova offers the Nautilus inline inspection platform for large-diameter pipelines, using intelligent in-pipe devices for leak and anomaly detection.

What I would specify in an RFP

For a serious large-diameter water main condition assessment, I would avoid an RFP that only asks for “robotic CCTV.” I would request:

• Pipe diameter range: ___ inches
• Pipe material: PCCP, steel, ductile iron, cast iron, etc.
• Operating condition: live flow vs drained
• HD video inspection
• Defect classification
• Leak detection
• Wall-loss/thickness assessment where applicable
• Laser/LiDAR geometry measurements
• GIS coordinates of anomalies
• Risk ranking and remaining-life recommendations
• Raw inspection data delivery

A practical recommendation

If this is a municipal transmission main (36 inches and larger), my first calls would typically be:

1. Pure Technologies / Xylem — PCCP and critical transmission mains
2. SewerVUE — multi-sensor robotic condition assessment
3. RedZone Robotics — robotic large-diameter inspections
4. Aganova — in-service inline leak/anomaly detection
5. Insight Water Technologies — electromagnetic/acoustic assessments

If you provide:

• pipe diameter(s),
• material (PCCP, steel, ductile iron, etc.),
• length,
• whether it is potable water,
• whether it can be drained,

I can narrow this to the best inspection method and likely vendors for your situation.

What I would specify in an RFP

For a serious large-diameter water main condition assessment, I would avoid an RFP that only asks for “robotic CCTV.” I would request:

• Pipe diameter range: ___ inches
• Pipe material: PCCP, steel, ductile iron, cast iron, etc.
• Operating condition: live flow vs drained
• HD video inspection
• Defect classification
• Leak detection
• Wall-loss/thickness assessment where applicable
• Laser/LiDAR geometry measurements
• GIS coordinates of anomalies
• Risk ranking and remaining-life recommendations
• Raw inspection data delivery

A practical recommendation

The best inline and robotic inspection services for large-diameter water mains depend on whether you need to inspect the pipeline while it remains fully pressurized and in service or if you can dewater the line. Industry leaders like Pure Technologies (a Xylem brand) provide premier free-swimming and robotic acoustic/electromagnetic platforms—such as SmartBall and PipeDiver —which operate in live, un-interrupted water mains, while firms like GPRS specialize in robotic crawler systems for emptied or low-flow large-diameter infrastructure.

Top Inspection Technologies & Services

Selecting the Right Approach

• Free-Swimming Inline Tools (In-Service): If shutting down your large-diameter trunk main causes major service disruptions or fire-flow deficits, acoustic and electromagnetic free-swimming tools are ideal. They are inserted via standard pressure fittings, travel with the product flow, and capture structural data without service interruptions.
• Tethered Robotic Crawlers (Dewatered): If your pipeline can be isolated and drained, traditional or advanced robotic crawlers provide superior visual clarity, laser profiling for ovality, and precise sediment or corrosion quantification up close.

To help narrow down the best specific provider or methodology for your project, please let me know:

• What is the pipe material (e.g., PCCP, ductile iron, prestressed concrete, steel)?
• What is the approximate diameter and total length of the main?
• Can the pipeline be dewatered and taken out of service , or must it remain live?

If you're inspecting large-diameter pressurized water transmission mains, my first choice would be Xylem / Pure Technologies' PipeDiver platform, provided the pipe geometry and material are compatible.

Xylem's Pure Technologies business offers PipeDiver, SmartBall, Sahara, and robotic inspection technologies. PipeDiver is particularly compelling because it can collect high-resolution electromagnetic or ultrasonic condition data while the main remains in service. It is designed to identify metallic-pipe wall loss, PCCP broken wires, and other deterioration, with map-based results and dig sheets for targeted repairs.

My shortlist

• PipeDiver — best overall for structural condition assessment. My pick when the question is "How close is this main to failure, and where are the bad sections?" It is especially strong for PCCP, ductile iron and steel. Current Xylem material reports more than 2,485 miles of PipeDiver inspection data and says the tool can negotiate valves, bends and tees in appropriate configurations.
• SmartBall — best for leak detection + preliminary assessment. A free-swimming acoustic tool that can travel long distances without taking the main out of service. It's excellent for finding leaks and gas pockets and mapping the pipeline, but I would not substitute it for PipeDiver when you need detailed structural/wall-condition information.
• Sahara — best for pinpoint leak location and targeted investigation. It's tethered rather than free-swimming and provides real-time acoustic leak detection; it can also perform condition-assessment work. It's particularly useful when you need to locate individual leaks very accurately.
• PureRobotics / robotic crawlers — worth considering where geometry or access makes free-swimming inspection unsuitable. Xylem's current portfolio includes PureRobotics alongside PipeDiver, SmartBall and Sahara.

What I'd actually procure

For a critical transmission main, I wouldn't simply ask vendors for a "robotic inspection." I'd issue an RFP for condition assessment and require the proposer to select the appropriate technology.

A strong inspection program would often be:

SmartBall → PipeDiver → engineering assessment → targeted excavation/verification

SmartBall establishes leaks/gas-pocket issues, while PipeDiver provides the higher-value structural data. There is precedent for using the two together: Scottish Water used SmartBall and PipeDiver on a 30-inch, 15-km PCCP trunk main while maintaining operation of the pipeline.

The right choice changes substantially based on diameter, pipe material, length, operating pressure/flow, valves/bends/tees, access points, and whether the main can be taken out of service. AWWA also distinguishes among electromagnetic, ultrasonic and other high-resolution approaches depending on the pipe and inspection objective.

If you give me (1) diameter(s), (2) pipe material—PCCP, steel, ductile iron, etc., (3) approximate mileage, (4) pressure/flow, and (5) whether shutdown is possible, I can narrow this to the best 2–4 inspection companies and technologies for your mains, including what I'd put in the RFP and the data/accuracy requirements I'd demand.

When inspecting large-diameter water mains (especially active, pressurized transmission mains), the "best" service depends heavily on whether the pipe is in service (pressurized) or dewatered (out of service) , and what specific defect you are looking for (leaks, wall thickness, or structural pipe wall/cylinder breaks).

Industry-leading platforms and services are categorized below by their operational style and strengths:

1. Free-Swimming / Inline Acoustic & Mapping Tools (Best for Long, Pressurized Mains)

If you cannot shut down or dewater your large-diameter transmission main, free-swimming inline tools are the gold standard. They travel with the product flow and require no service disruption.

• Xylem SmartBall:
  • Best for: Long-distance continuous inspection of pipes 4 inches to large diameters (often 8"+ up to very large transmission mains).
  • How it works: A free-flowing acoustic sphere rolls through the live pipeline listening for tiny leaks and gas pockets while recording XYZ mapping and pressure profiles.
  • Why choose it: Can cover massive distances (tens of miles in a single run) without interrupting customer service.
• Xylem Sahara Platform:
  • Best for: Tethered, real-time visual and acoustic inspection in pressurized lines (6 inches and larger).
  • How it works: A small, highly maneuverable tethered camera/acoustic probe is inserted into the live main and propelled by flow. Operators can actually halt or reverse the tool to closely inspect a suspicious joint or crack.

2. Specialized Electromagnetic Inline Tools (Best for Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe - PCCP)

• Xylem PipeDiver:
  • Best for: Large-diameter concrete pressure mains (PCCP).
  • How it works: Free-flowing inline tool equipped with electromagnetic sensors that detect broken wire wraps inside concrete cylinder pipes before catastrophic failure occurs.
  • Why choose it: It gives structural insight into high-risk concrete pipe materials while remaining fully pressurized and in service.

3. Robotic Crawlers (Best for Dewatered or Large Non-Pressurized Mains / Effluent lines)

If the main can be isolated, drained, and safely accessed via manholes, robotic crawlers offer superior visual and laser profiling data.

• Mainline CCTV & Laser Profiling Crawlers (Offered by various regional engineering and pipeline assessment firms):
  • Best for: Direct physical sizing, crack mapping, corrosion evaluation, and debris buildup in dewatered large-diameter pipes (ranging up to 72"+ diameters).
  • How it works: Heavy-duty motorized pan-tilt-zoom robotic crawlers equipped with 360-degree laser rings measure ovality, structural deflection, and internal lining integrity.
  • Why choose it: Unmatched HD video clarity and dimensional accuracy, though it requires shutting down the line.[1]

To help narrow down the ideal provider or technology for your project, tell me:

• Are the water mains currently pressurized and in service , or can they be dewatered/isolated?
• What is the pipe material (e.g., PCCP concrete, ductile iron, steel) and approximate diameter/length?
• What is your primary objective (leak detection, structural break detection, or general wall condition)?

If you’re talking about large-diameter transmission mains—say 24"–96"+—I would not choose a conventional CCTV contractor as the primary inspection method. The best technology depends heavily on the pipe material and whether you can take the main out of service.

My first choice: a multi-technology condition assessment

For a utility trying to understand structural condition and remaining life, I’d put these at the top of the list:

1. picacorp.com — strongest choice for detailed electromagnetic inspection

• Particularly compelling for PCCP/CCP, steel, cast iron and ductile iron.
• Their Remote Field Testing (RFT) systems can identify wire breaks, cylinder wall loss/corrosion and other structural deterioration.
• Their large-diameter EMIT/RAFT platforms cover roughly 36–96 inches and are designed for difficult lined/concrete pipe where conventional MFL isn't appropriate.
• For PCCP, this is the kind of inspection I'd favor if the objective is "tell me which pipe sections are structurally approaching failure," rather than simply finding leaks.

2. xylem.com — strongest choice for in-service/free-swimming inspection

• SmartBall is excellent for finding leaks and gas pockets while the main remains in service.
• PipeDiver is the more interesting technology when you need actual structural assessment of large-diameter mains while maintaining service. A documented utility program combined SmartBall and PipeDiver on a 30" prestressed-concrete trunk main while keeping it operational.
• This is particularly attractive if shutting down your transmission main is extremely difficult.

The important distinction

PICA itself makes the important point that no single inspection technology captures every deterioration mechanism. Acoustic inspection is useful as a live-line screening layer, while electromagnetic inspection provides the much deeper structural information.

What I'd do for a water utility

For a critical large-diameter main, I'd consider a two-stage program:

Stage 1 — inspect while operating: Run an acoustic/free-swimming tool to establish leaks, gas pockets, pipeline alignment and other anomalies. This lets you screen a long main with minimal operational disruption.

Stage 2 — targeted high-resolution inspection: For the sections that warrant it, use electromagnetic/RFT inspection to determine actual structural deterioration. Add CCTV/LiDAR where internal liner, joint, deformation or deposition information is important.

That combination is much more valuable than simply sending a camera down the pipe.

One caveat

If your mains are 36"+ PCCP, the logistics become particularly important. PICA's current information indicates that its 36"+ PCCP advanced RFT inspections generally require the pipeline to be out of service and dewatered, whereas its acoustic screening can operate on a live, pressurized line.

If you give me (1) diameter range, (2) pipe material—PCCP, steel, cast iron, ductile iron, etc., (3) approximate mileage, and (4) whether you can shut the mains down, I can narrow this to the best 2–4 inspection companies for your particular system, including who I'd ask for proposals and what I would put in the RFP.

Choosing the "best" inline or robotic inspection service for large-diameter water mains depends entirely on whether your priority is leak detection, structural wall condition (wall thickness/broken wires in PCCP) , or visual assessment —and whether you can afford to shut the pipeline down.

Industry-leading platforms and technologies specialized for large-diameter municipal water and wastewater mains include the following:

1. Free-Flowing / Free-Swimming Inline Tools (Best for Long Distances & In-Service Mains)

• Xylem (Pure Technologies) – SmartBall® Platform:
  • Best for: Long-distance acoustic leak detection, gas pocket identification, and XYZ mapping.
  • How it works: A free-flowing acoustic ball rolls and floats through active, pressurized transmission mains (≥8 is greater than or equal to 8≥8 inches) without disrupting service . It listens for the acoustic signature of leaks and maps the pipeline layout simultaneously.
• Xylem (Pure Technologies) – PipeDiver® Platform:
  • Best for: Structural condition assessment of prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) and metallic pressure pipes (≥16 is greater than or equal to 16≥1 6 inches).
  • How it works: Another free-swimming tool that navigates inline valves, sharp bends, and tees while actively recording electromagnetic data to find broken prestressing wires in concrete pipes.

2. Tethered & Controlled Robotic Systems (Best for Pinpointing & Visuals)

• Xylem (Pure Technologies) – Sahara® Platform:
  • Best for: Real-time visual and acoustic inspection with high-precision locating.
  • How it works: A tethered, flow-propelled micro-robot uses a small parachute-like drogue to move with the water . Because it is tethered, an operator can stop, hover, or reverse the camera/acoustic sensor to closely inspect a suspected defect or joint anomaly and pinpoint it precisely from the surface.

3. Specialized In-Pipe Crawlers / Acoustic & Laser Profilers

• For dewatered or large transmission mains that can be temporarily isolated, companies utilize custom robotic crawlers equipped with CCTV, laser profiling (for ovality/deformation), and electromagnetic or ultrasonic (UT) wall thickness testing.
• Regional and specialty pipeline assessment contractors (such as Ace Pipe Cleaning, Redzone Robotics, or Infrastructure Alternatives) deploy heavy-duty crawler units for large-diameter stormwater, sewer, and effluent mains.

To help narrow down the best specific provider or technology for your project, let me know:

• What is the diameter and pipe material (e.g., concrete/PCCP, ductile iron, steel)?
• Is the main pressurized and in-service , or can it be dewatered/isolated?
• What is your primary inspection goal (structural wall integrity, leak detection, or general sediment/corrosion mapping)?

• RJN Group, Inc. - HQ - 2655 Warrenville Rd Ste 225, Downers Grove, IL 60515, United States
• Associated Technical Services - 321 E Kenilworth Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181, United States
• Diamond Technical Services, Inc. - 4 Territorial Ct, Bolingbrook, IL 60440, United States
• David Mason & Associates Inc - 333 S Desplaines St Ste 200, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• American Underground Inc - 246 E Marquardt Dr, Wheeling, IL 60090, United States
• Corrosion Monitoring Services - 1149 Howard Dr, West Chicago, IL 60185, United States
• Pro Services Plumbing, Drains, Sewer Lining - 721 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187, United States
• National Power Rodding, Corp - 2500 W Arthington St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• Mistras Inspection Services - 899 Carol Ct, Carol Stream, IL 60188, United States
• Complete Backflow Services - 26W307 St Charles Rd Unit 2, Carol Stream, IL 60188, United States
• Sheridan Plumbing and Sewer - 100 Tower Dr, Ste 115, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

If you’re talking about large-diameter municipal/utility transmission mains, especially roughly 24" and larger, my first choice would be Xylem’s Pure Technologies inspection program. Their combination of free-swimming and tethered robotic systems is unusually mature for this application.

My recommendation

1. Xylem / Pure Technologies — best overall

• PipeDiver® is the standout for long, critical mains that cannot easily be taken out of service. It travels with the water flow and uses electromagnetic and/or ultrasonic sensing plus HD imaging to assess pipe condition.
• For PCCP, it can identify and locate broken prestressing wire wraps—the type of deterioration that can precede catastrophic failure.
• For metallic mains, the technology can assess wall loss/corrosion; the ultrasonic configuration measures pipe-wall thickness.
• Sahara® is the better choice when your primary question is “Where are the leaks?” It is tethered, giving the operator very precise control and real-time acoustic leak detection/video.
• PureRobotics® is the option I'd investigate for a shutdown/dewatered or depressurized line where you want a highly controlled robotic visual/EM inspection. Xylem says it covers roughly 16" through >120" pipe and can inspect nearly 2 miles from one access point.

There is substantial real-world utility experience behind it. For example, Louisville Water has been using Pure Technologies' robotic technology for more than a decade and has inspected hundreds of miles of large mains; a recent PipeDiver deployment covered 11 miles of a 60-inch main without taking the main out of service.

What I'd specify for your project

I wouldn't simply ask vendors for a "robotic pipe inspection." I'd develop the scope around the pipe material and failure modes:

The important distinction is that leak detection isn't the same as structural condition assessment. A SmartBall/Sahara-type survey can tell you that water is escaping; PipeDiver/PureRobotics-type inspection can tell you substantially more about why the pipe is at risk.

There are also good reasons to consider a second bidder

If this is a significant capital/asset-management program, I'd probably solicit at least 2–3 qualified proposals, rather than automatically sole-source Xylem. In the Chicago/Midwest area, RJN Group, Inc. - HQ has pressure-pipe assessment and in-pipe multi-sensor inspection capabilities, although their role is more engineering/condition-assessment oriented than being a direct equivalent to Pure Technologies' PipeDiver platform.

I'd also separate inspection technology selection from engineering interpretation. The deliverable should ideally include pipe-by-pipe condition, GIS coordinates, severity/risk ranking, remaining-life or failure-risk assessment where defensible, and dig sheets/repair locations—not merely a video file.

Bottom line: If you give me the pipe diameters, material (PCCP, steel, cast iron, ductile iron, etc.), approximate mileage, whether the mains can be shut down/dewatered, and your location, I can narrow this down to the best inspection technology and identify the 3–5 companies I'd put on an RFP, including Midwest/Illinois-capable firms.

When choosing the best robotic or inline inspection service for large-diameter water mains (transmission lines), the "best" choice depends entirely on whether your pipeline must stay in service (pressurized/flowing) or can be taken offline (drained/decommissioned) for the operation.

Leading technologies and service providers are categorized below by their operational style and what they do best.

Phase 1: In-Service / Free-Flowing Inspection (No Shutdown Required)

If you cannot interrupt water delivery or drain the main, free-flowing acoustic and tetherless tools driven by the product flow are the gold standard.

• Xylem (SmartBall® Platform):
  • Best for: Long-distance leak detection and gas pocket mapping in pipes 8 i n c h e s to very large diameters.
  • How it works: A free-flowing acoustic sphere is inserted into the pressurized main via a standard 4-inch or larger tap/valve and caught downstream in a retrieval net. It listens for the acoustic sound of leaks and records structural mapping data.
  • Learn more: Check out the Xylem Pipeline Inspection Solutions.
• Xylem (PipeDiver® Platform):
  • Best for: Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) and continuous metallic pipes to find broken wire wraps or structural distress without shutting down the line.
  • How it works: Also free-flowing, it uses electromagnetic sensors to detect broken structural wire strands under full operational pressure.
• PICA Corp (Navigator & HydraTools):
  • Best for: In-service acoustic leak detection and magnetic multi-sensor tools for metallic or concrete lines.
  • How it works: Offers free-flowing acoustic spheres (Navigator) for lines up to 7 8 i n c h e s and specialized in-service tethered/pumped tools to inspect pipes without dewatering.
  • Learn more: View services on the PICA Corp Water Main Inspection Services page.

Phase 2: Out-of-Service / Drained Inspection (Detailed Robotic & NDT)

If you can isolate, drain, and clean the water main, a physical robotic crawler or specialized inline tool will give you high-resolution video, laser profiling, and wall thickness data.

• Closed-Circuit TV (CCTV) & Laser Profiling Crawlers:
  • Best for: Direct visual assessment of internal corrosion, joint displacement, lining failure, and debris buildup.
  • Providers: Major national and regional trenchless engineering firms (such as Aegion/Insituform, Vortex Companies, or local specialized NDT contractors) deploy heavy-duty crawler robots equipped with pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) HD cameras and 360-degree laser profiling.
• PICA Corp (EMIT & RAFT Tools):
  • Best for: Out-of-service detailed wall-thickness and metal-loss evaluation (Magnetic Flux Leakage / Eddy Current) on massive pipes (3 6 i n c h e s to 9 6 i n c h e s).
  • How it works: Provides quantitative data on pipe wall degradation, pitting, and corrosion that visual cameras can't see beneath the surface.
• JD7 (A Prysmian Group Brand / Investigator):
  • Best for: Smaller access insertion (hydrants/air valves) into medium-to-large pipes to do targeted HD video and acoustic combo checks.

Summary Checklist: Which one should you pick?

1. If the main is critical and cannot be shut down: Go with Xylem SmartBall/PipeDiver or PICA Navigator for non-invasive, live acoustic/electromagnetic inspection.
2. If you suspect severe structural wall loss or corrosion in a major concrete/steel transmission line: Coordinate a planned shutdown and hire a specialized NDT engineering service utilizing Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) tools or heavy CCTV/Laser Profilers.

To help narrow down the exact service or technology you need, could you share:

• What is the diameter and pipe material (e.g., PCCP, ductile iron, steel, cast iron)?
• Is it feasible to shut down/isolate this water main, or must the inspection happen in-service?