INNISFAIL - Town council has approved the purchase of a new image inspection camera to determine the condition of waste and storm water mains.
Steven Kennedy, the town’s director of operational services, told council at its regular meeting on Feb. 28 that the current image inspection camera has become less reliable over the past few years and has become costly in both repair expense and time spent working on it.
His report to council added that once the condition of local wastewater and stormwater mains are determined it allows potential problems to be dealt with before they become collapses. The camera also helps find plug locations, as well as other problems, council was told.
“You set it in a manhole and it actually crawls down the pipe,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy said five suppliers submitted quotes for a camera purchase and accessories. The quotes ranged from $70,476 up to $110,113.
After reviewing all submissions, it was administration’s decision the purchase a Pipe Trekker unit was the best choice as it was the only camera that came with an onboard power system as well as remote power available from the van, making it far more reliable, council was told.
Council was told the Pipe Trekker unit had a purchase price of $80,000, which is under the budgeted amount of $90,000.
“It also is a fully loaded unit giving the operator more ability to manipulate the unit and gather better information on the pipe condition,” said Kennedy from his report to council. “The quality of the camera appears to be better and has offered a significant rebate bringing the unit within our budget.”
Responding from a question by Coun. Don Harrison, Kennedy said the old underground inspection camera is still usable and can be used as a backup.
Council unanimously approved the purchase of the new Pipe Trekker camera.
