Newcastle's Storm Sewer Assessment Program

The City of Newcastle, Washington, owns and maintains approximately 215,000 linear feet of storm sewer, ranging in material and size from 6-inch to 72-inch diameter pipes. In 2019, the City launched a proactive program to systematically assess its storm sewer system to ensure reliable service for residents and reduce potential issues before they arise. A key early challenge was presenting inspection data in a format that was both easy to understand and actionable. To address this, PipeAid proposed leveraging its AI technology to accurately evaluate pipe condition and utilizing a Digital Twin platform to display and manage the inspection data.

Since the program began, historical Phase 1 through Phase 3 data from 2019, 2021, and 2022—totaling 54,296 linear feet—has been processed. The current Phase 4 effort includes an additional 21,120 linear feet, with PipeAid working alongside the City to subdivide the remaining collection system into future phases with the goal of completing inspections by 2030.

Results and Benefits

• Proactive Infrastructure Management: A systematic, multi-phase inspection program helps the City identify and address issues before they escalate, reducing long-term maintenance costs.

• AI-Driven Condition Assessment: PipeAid's AI technology provides accurate, consistent pipe condition evaluations across a large and varied system.

• Digital Twin Integration: Inspection data is displayed and managed through a Digital Twin platform, giving the City an intuitive, actionable view of its storm sewer assets.

• Scalable, Long-Term Program: By subdividing the system into defined phases, the City has a clear roadmap to complete full inspections by 2030, with annual data processing to keep the picture current.

Looking Ahead

With Phase 4 currently underway and future phases already planned, the City of Newcastle is building toward a complete, continuously updated picture of its storm sewer system. Annual data processing will ensure the City always has up-to-date condition information to guide maintenance decisions and long-term infrastructure planning through 2030 and beyond.