McWane, a global leader in sustainable infrastructure, has expanded its hydrant-based system monitoring and analytics technology with the launch of iHydrantPlus. The new platform builds on the original iHydrant technology by combining acoustic leak detection, pressure monitoring and temperature data with machine learning tools to provide public and private water utilities with real-time system analytics and alerts.
Water utilities invest considerable time, resources and energy in treating water to potable standards, making the protection of that investment essential for maintaining operational efficiency, budget compliance and public confidence. By providing operators with real-time information on issues such as leaks and pressure anomalies, iHydrantPlus helps reduce non-revenue water losses and improve system performance.
“iHydrant laid the foundation for the innovative extension of iHydrantPlus, an ecosystem built for utilities to make confident, intelligent and data-driven decisions,” said Will McWane, president of McWane. “iHydrantPlus uncovers water network blind spots for our customers facing challenges across their operational footprint, from ageing infrastructure to water scarcity and climate-related pressures.”
Unlike single-source monitoring systems, iHydrantPlus integrates multiple data streams and uses machine learning tools to identify leaks and other system issues in real time. By combining different sources of information, the platform can detect important changes in system performance and direct maintenance teams to areas requiring attention without taking hydrants out of service.
“Water loss has always been a difficult challenge to address. iHydrantPlus gives water utilities a proactive approach and a clearer understanding of their water systems, enabling them to operate more efficiently and plan for a more sustainable future,” said Karen Siu, director of iHydrant at McWane. “With iHydrantPlus, McWane is working alongside utility providers and municipal leaders at the forefront of modernising water infrastructure for communities of all sizes. The platform is the result of years of dedicated research, collaboration and real-world testing.”
Although iHydrantPlus offers expanded functionality, it retains the same ease of installation as the original iHydrant. Its hydrant-based design supports reliable monitoring while avoiding disruption to routine operations and maintenance activities.
