Leak Detection Survey Grant Updates
Leak detection surveys are an important way of discovering leaks on a water system's mains, service lines, hydrants and valves. Proactive leak detection and repair can reduce a water system's pumping and treatment costs, avoid emergency outages from major breaks and protect water supply quantity. Recognizing the importance of these surveys, NHDES has offered the Leak Detection Survey Grant since 2010.
The application period for the Leak Detection Survey Grant is typically June 1 to July 31 each year. This grant is open to all community water systems in New Hampshire that have as-built plans, record drawings or maps of their distribution systems. Selected applicants receive a free leak detection survey by a professional leak detection firm that is retained by NHDES through a competitive bid process. Please see the Leak Detection Survey Grant’s webpage for more information.
The Leak Detection Survey Grant had another productive year in 2022. Through a competitive bid process, American Leak Detection, Inc. and New England Water Distribution Services, LLC were hired by NHDES to complete leak detection surveys at 80 community water systems. In total, over 1,600 miles of water systems’ distribution networks were surveyed, and 89 leaks were found, which were estimated to be leaking at least 520 gpm or nearly three-quarters of million gallons per day!
Leak detection surveys for the 2023 grant round have begun and will continue through the fall. New England Water Distribution Services, LLC is the contractor again this year. If your water system was selected for the 2023 grant round, you would have received an introductory email from NHDES in April, and the contractor will contact you to schedule your survey. Please prepare for your survey by locating and painting the lids associated with your curb stop and main line valve boxes. The contractor will use these assets as contact points for their equipment to pick up the leak noises. By having these assets easily identifiable, the contractor will be able to use as many contact points as possible, which will contribute to a more thorough survey.
If you have any questions about the Leak Detection Survey Grant, please contact the Water Conservation Program at waterconservation@des.nh.gov.