Great Lakes Water Authority protects Michigan’s largest water transmission main with technology-powered advanced inspection program

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) delivers drinking water to 40% of Michigan’s population through a network of transmission mains that covers more than 800 miles. To protect this critical infrastructure and the nearly 3.9 million people it serves, GLWA launched the Linear System Integrity Program (LSIP) – a proactive initiative to prioritize, assess, and repair the utility’s aging transmission mains. As part of this effort, the Authority is leveraging Xylem’s advanced PipeDiver® inspection technology to help detect potential issues before they become costly failures.

Taking a proactive approach to prevent transmission main failures

In the first phase of the LSIP program, GLWA is inspecting over 100 miles of transmission main, including three major pipes. The 120-inch main is a top priority. As one of the largest and most critical mains in the system, it carries drinking water from Lake Huron to homes, hospitals and businesses across eight counties – making it a true lifeline for the region.

After two previous failures, including a major break in 2022 that disrupted service for nearly 935,000 residents, GLWA deployed Xylem’s industry-leading PipeDiver condition assessment tool to inspect the 120-inch main with minimal impact on operations.

The innovative technology enabled the utility to assess the entire 26-mile-long main in one day, roughly 10 times faster than a traditional manned inspection, without taking it out of service. The data collected will help GLWA pinpoint any damage and make planned repairs to minimize future failures.

“These types of inspections help us at Great Lakes Water Authority provide best in class utility service,” said Peter Fromm, Director of Water Transmission, GLWA.

What are the benefits of GLWA’s LSIP pipeline assessment and renewal program?

The LSIP program is a world-class example of how utilities can take proactive measures to strengthen community resilience and manage aging infrastructure more affordably. Through this initiative, GLWA is minimizing costly failures and service disruptions. The program also aims to maximize the value of GLWA’s existing transmission network by repairing or replacing the weak links instead of whole pipelines.

How does Xylem’s PipeDiver technology help utilities protect critical water pipelines?

Assessing buried infrastructure has traditionally required taking pipes out of service – draining water, sending personnel inside, and disrupting operations. Xylem’s PipeDiver technology eliminates those challenges.

The advanced inspection tool travels through mains with the flow of water, using high-resolution electromagnetic technology to detect signs of damage. By performing inspections while the system remains in service, utilities like GLWA can gather essential data without interrupting water delivery. This non-invasive approach helps utilities identify issues early, informing planned repairs that protect both infrastructure investments and the people who rely on them.

“This [PipeDiver] technology has been developed over the last couple of decades, but there was no way to do it in the past,” said King. “This is as close to rocket science as we come in this industry.”

A resilient water future for the Great Lakes

Through its partnership with Xylem, the Great Lakes Water Authority is strengthening the reliability of its drinking water network and protecting millions of people who depend on it every day. By turning data into action, GLWA is preventing disruptions, extending the life of critical infrastructure, and helping build a more resilient water future for Michigan’s communities.