Diving Services Inc. has an extensive inventory of dedicated potable water inspection and cleaning equipment. Our personnel and expertise enable us to provide a broad range of underwater services for complete potable water system maintenance. All of DSI's well trained and commercially certified diving staff and associated in-tank equipment is fully disinfected according to AWWA Standard C652-92.

Diving Services utilizes a thorough inspection method that has been developed to detect and document all important issues and problems. Full-time, two-way voice communication with the diver is maintained and is captured for a full video record of the inspection. Our specialized equipment enables the customer to communicate with the diver during the inspection.

Old and New Methods

Tank inspections can be accomplished using one of three methods: draining, dropping in a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), or sending in a diver.

Draining

The oldest method of inspecting water reservoirs is by draining. The reservoir is taken off-line and emptied, wasting valuable water and limiting operating capacity. Workers then enter the reservoir to clean the floor and perform maintenance by hand. For steel tanks, draining can lead to damage of the interior coating. Workers walking inside a tank generate a substantial risk of contamination and are subject to confined space regulations. Concrete reservoirs often suffer structural damage from the expansion and contraction that occurs during draining and refilling. The draining method requires extended down time and is the most expensive.

ROV Inspection

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) are useful for assessing the condition of a reservoir's interior without contamination, downtime, or confined space concerns. However, ROVs cannot effectively clean, remove debris, or perform repairs.

Commercial Hard Hat Divers

Commercial divers using the proper equipment are the best choice for overall tank maintenance. Divers perform the work while the tank remains in service and full of water, eliminating the high cost and dangers associated with normal tank maintenance. A diver can do what ROVs cannot, such as performing a tactile inspection, repairing cracks or coating failures, cleaning the reservoir, or replacing corroded fixtures.

Real-time video

Divers use a helmet mounted, high resolution camera system coupled with high intensity lighting to inspect all surfaces and interior fixtures. Client representatives are invited to observe the dive on a live video feed and give specific instructions that pertain to their individual requirements or concerns. The video monitors are on during the entire process.