Experienced Wachs Water Services technicians physically locate, access and identify valves operating in a water distribution system, whether it's a single valve or thousands of valves.  After performing rigorous operability testing and repairs or replacement as needed, Wachs Water Services technicians record information about valve location, characteristics, and current operational position and status in a GIS database so the data can be quickly retrieved and analyzed on demand.

Valve locating from Wachs Water Services uses advanced geospatial positioning tools and GIS software to assist valve location mapping, maintenance, and management. Field crews precisely locate valve positions using Trimble handheld GPS units, inspect, cycle, and operationally test valves, capture the valve data, and upload the digital information to a GIS database/CMMS work order system. To ensure data accuracy, information management analysts perform post-processing of all field data collected, and deliver reports in ESRI-compliant databases, or formats compatible with any other GIS or CMMS software platform.

Preconstruction Services
Preconstruction services specialize in physically locating, identifying, and preparing water infrastructure assets in specific areas of a planned construction project to ensure the assets are readily accessible before, during and after construction. Wachs Water Services field crews perform preconstruction locating services, and perform remedial post-construction asset repairs and rehabilitation in the event of assets being inadvertently damaged, buried or paved-over during construction.

Similar to water valve locating services, Wachs Water Services technicians conduct on-site exploratory surveys, consult existing GIS data, engineering drawings, and system plans, and use GPS equipment and pipeline inspection tools when needed to locate and record the precise position and condition of all assets. Preconstruction services search for valves, hydrants, meters, boxes, access lids, and can also include equipment and access ports used by electrical and gas utilities.

Benefits of knowing the exact location of your valves:

• Accurate picture of existing water distribution system assets
• Water main valves operate as designed
• Valves are accessible for utility crews
• Enables faster water pipeline shut-down during water main breaks
• Limit damage to buried infrastructure
• Reduce  area / residents affected by water main break
• Minimize treated water loss and environmental impact
• Reduce insurance and legal claims
• Better manage water main replacement and rehabilitation programs