The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is revolutionizing water safety with a cutting-edge approach to detecting lead pipes. By leveraging technology originally designed for military applications, SAWS is setting a new standard for public utilities across the country.

In a groundbreaking move, SAWS signed a $4.5 million contract with White River Technologies on June 2 to implement an advanced metal detection system. This innovative technology, reminiscent of a Martian rover crossed with a lawn mower, is being deployed to identify lead pipes near San Antonio households without the need for extensive digging.

Addressing the Lead Pipe Challenge

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that utilities inventory water pipe materials starting in 2026. Kirstin Eller, a potable water quality supervisor at SAWS, emphasized the importance of knowing the material on the customer’s side of the water connection. Lead pipes, when corroded, can contaminate drinking water, leading to serious health issues such as anemia, behavior and hearing problems in children, and cardiovascular issues in adults.

Texas builders stopped using lead in pipes in 1989, and SAWS has been diligently sifting through historical records to identify older pipes that might pose a risk. Traditionally, the only way to test pipes was to dig them up, a method that is both invasive and unpopular with homeowners. “A lot of customers do not want us to dig on their property,” Eller noted.

The Technology Behind the Innovation

The advanced metal detection technology used by SAWS is a sensor mounted on a hand-pushed cart. This sensor sends signals that bounce back from buried objects, creating a 3-D map of underground spaces with the locations of metal objects. Originally developed for the Department of Defense to detect land mines, this technology has been adapted to distinguish between different types of metals, such as iron, steel, copper, and lead.

Data gathered in the field is sent to analysts who determine the pipe material and location. While the technology is highly effective, it is not without its challenges. Sometimes, old construction materials or pieces of metal in yards can interfere with the readings, necessitating small “potholes” to be dug for further inspection.

Progress and Future Plans

So far, SAWS has not identified any lead pipes but has removed around 80 galvanized steel pipes. Galvanized steel pipes can attract lead dissolved in water and later release it, posing a health risk. If SAWS cannot confirm that lead-contaminated water has never touched these pipes, they are removed as a precautionary measure.

“We have not found any lead. We are excited about that,” Eller said. “We are definitely still going to work to comply with the rules.” Pipe replacement is funded by customers, but SAWS is exploring programs to assist with the costs. Customers interested in the advanced metal detection program can submit an interest form online.

SAWS is currently hiring field teams and plans to start outreach neighborhood by neighborhood, focusing on homes built before 1989. “We’ll be operational as soon as possible,” Eller stated. “We’re the first utility to be able to offer this in the country.”