O'Fallon Begins Leak Detection Program

The in conjunction with ADS Environmental Services is currently checking for water leaks in the city’s main water system along right-of-ways in O’Fallon. The testing is scheduled to be complete August 1.

ADS Environmental Services is performing the testing with ultrasonic equipment, so there is no need for the main water system or residents’ water to be shut down. However, if a leak is detected and action is required, affected residents will be notified prior to any repairs or water shutdown.

Testing began in north O’Fallon last Monday. Crews will move south as they complete testing of each segment of the water system.

ADS Environmental was brought in by the City of O’Fallon to look for any water leaks that may go undetected by the constant monitoring that the water department does as part of standard procedure.

Tom Drabelle, director of public relations for the City of O’Fallon, said ADS Environmental was brought in for in-depth testing because the city does not have the staff or equipment to handle such testing.

Dan Scherer, director of water and sewer for the City of O’Fallon, said this is the first time testing of this nature is being done in O’Fallon. “Once we go through the system this way, we will gauge how often we need to repeat this (ultrasonic testing),” he said,

Scherer said, based on statistics, systems similar to O’Fallon are tested this way on average every three years.

He said some areas of the main water system are more than 60 years old and leaks underground could go undetected for years. Even if a system is losing a mere 30 gallons of water daily, once you multiply that by 365 days a year every year, it adds up to a lot of water.

“This is one of our ways to prove that we are good stewards of our natural resources,” he said.

Finding and repairing leaks is also a cost-saving measure.

The city provides water to more than 12,000 customers who use an average of 3.5 million gallons water daily. That number peaks during the summer at approximately 6.5 million gallons per day. The city has slightly more than 175 miles of water mains, Scherer said.

Personnel conducting the tests are in vehicles clearly marked ADS Environmental Services. Additionally, each contractor has an identification badge indicating that they are a contractor for the city.

Residents interesting in following the progress of the testing and where ADS Environmental will be working can check the Water and Sewer Department website www.ofallon.mo.us/water. Progress will also be updated on Twitter.

If you have any questions regarding the testing, you can also call the Water and Sewer Department at 636-281-2858.