Case Studies
Alabama

Athens Utilities Water Services

Athens Utilities Water Services, a division of The City of Athens Utilities in Alabama, manages a sanitary collection system spanning over 1 million feet of sewer lines, ranging in size from 4 inches to 36 inches. Each year, the City inspects approximately 10% of this system using in-house crews. Traditionally, these inspections generated static PDF reports, limiting the ability to efficiently analyze and utilize the data. Seeking a more streamlined and insightful approach, the City explored AI-driven solutions to enhance inspection efficiency and data usability. 

Transforming Sewer Inspections with AI

In early 2024, Athens Utilities Water Services partnered with PipeAId for a proof of concept, analyzing 20,000 feet of existing sewer inspection footage. PipeAId’s AI-powered solution seamlessly coded defects, improved accuracy, and integrated results into the City’s GIS system, creating a dynamic Digital Twin of their sewer infrastructure. The City quickly recognized the benefits: no annual fees, no additional capital investment beyond the per-foot coding cost, and a significantly enhanced workflow. As a result, Athens Utilities Water Services expanded the partnership with a one-year contract to process approximately 100,000 feet of sewer inspection data. 


What They Had to Say

“In an age where gimmicks rule the world of wastewater solutions, PipeAId and the digital twin solutions are game changers. Josh Ford and his team have been seamless and great to work with! I can’t say enough positive things about them.”

-Marc Courville, GISP - Manager, Strategic Asset Management

Results and Benefits
  • Increased Efficiency: AI processing significantly reduced the time required to analyze inspection footage, allowing the City’s crews to review more data in less time. 
  • Enhanced Accuracy: Automated defect coding eliminated inconsistencies, ensuring a higher level of precision in identifying sewer defects. 
  • Seamless GIS Integration: The City transitioned from static PDF reports to an interactive Digital Twin, allowing utility managers to visualize sewer assets and pinpoint defects geographically. 
  • Cost Savings: AI-driven inspections streamlined workflows and reduced labor-intensive review processes, ultimately lowering costs. 
  • Proactive Infrastructure Management: AI’s predictive capabilities enable early detection of potential failures, supporting data-driven decision-making and long-term maintenance planning. 

Looking Ahead

Athens Utilities Water Services has embraced AI as a transformative tool for sewer inspections, proving that advanced technology can drive efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings. By leveraging AI, the City now has a more proactive and data-driven approach to managing its sewer infrastructure. 


Get Started

Get your own demonstration and see the difference PipeAId can make by reaching out to us today.

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