For any new technology, there's both GOOD and BAD news.

Here's the bad: Counting the 'conceptual years', since 1994, we've been working on the concept of the SmartHydrant™ for over a decade now. Plans have really come together over the last four years, but we have been unsuccessful with securing technology licensing, and, importantly, funding to completely fuel the development process.

But there's also GOOD NEWS! Outside of the current economic crisis, market conditions are exceptional for the SmartHydrant™ device, and will remain especially strong for the long term, given the existing environment with water conservation and water loss control issues.

Although the exact number of above ground hydrants in the USA is unknown, we can safely  estimate that, in the US, there is one above ground fire hydrant for approximately every 1,000 feet of water pipeline. This includes both municipal systems, with one approximately every 500 ft., and rural water systems, who will have a varied concentration ranging from one every 500 feet, to spacing of several thousand feet. This relates to several hundreds of thousands across the US. Interestingly, even a small municipality, with, for example, 20 miles of pipelines, will have several hundred fire hydrants.

Fire hydrants are mandatory for fire fighting, and commercial insurance ratings, - Not necessarily for the operation of a water distribution system. Consequently, hydrant flushing programs are designed to insure the proper workings of a hydrant and proper flow through the hydrant laterals, with the additional benefit of availability for distribution flushing purposes. Without the fire fighting and insurance consequences, utilities could be flushed via a lower cost flushing apparatus, and one has to imagine just how few hydrants would be installed without the insurance requirements.

Unlike small water meters, hydrants are readily noticeable, easily accessible and requirements exist for proper maintenance and flow records. Consequently, the fire hydrant's appearance and physical condition are often indicators of how well a utility system is managed, as well as the fiscal condition of the utility.

Barring any licensing and funding difficulties, as of Jan., 2010, the SmartHydrant™ is back in active pre-development, and, given all factors, will be released in two versions:

Version I, will attach to any hydrant and monitor for distribution system leakage. Data is collected manually via a wireless controller, in a 'Drive-By' scenario. Reports and leak notifications are sent as a batch/post process via PC software.

Version II, will offer the minimum capabilities if V. I, PLUS, an interface to the HDMS - Hydrant Data Management System - Offering a complete records management capability, and a real-time notification for alarms, such as leakage, tampering, maintenance, etc.

     Version I will be applicable for every hydrant, and Version II would have initial applicability for remote hydrants and industrial fire line loops. Eventually, Version II will be the lead product, as costs stabilize. The device will be offered as one which provides multiple capabilities required by the utility, depending on the primary application of either a records' management (asset), or leak detection (water loss control) system, or a combination.


Contact Us if you have any questions, or need any information regarding the development process.

Bud Reed
b3o enviroTek
SmartHydrant Development Group
Tampa * Nashville * Charlotte * Atlanta