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Industry Challenges
& Utility Collaboration

Industry partners are working with K9PDA because the water sector needs practical, field-ready solutions that support utilities under real-world pressure.

Key industry facts from AWWA’s 2026 report:

Aging infrastructure is the #1 concern.

Why it matters

$2.1–$2.4 trillion

needed through 2050

Utilities are managing systems built decades ago while facing increasing repair and replacement needs.

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Additional annual investment is needed from 2026–2050 to close the infrastructure funding gap.

 

Emergency Repairs

Affect the Workforce

54% of utility executives reported emergency repairs and system failures often or always lead to overtime.

 

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Workforce Development

is Critical

AWWA notes workforce challenges include recruitment, retention, retirements, overtime, and knowledge transfer.

Advancing Professional Leak Detection & Infrastructure Stewardship

K9PDA supports canine water leak detection certification, workforce development, field documentation standards, infrastructure collaboration, and water loss management initiatives across the leak detection industry.

Organization​

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Lolita Shaffer

60800 E 250 Rd, Grove OK 74344

970-309-4420

info@K9PDA.org

Relationship Statement

K9PDA operates independently as a nonprofit standards and certification organization and does not provide commercial detection or training services.

K9PDA operates as a nonprofit professional association supporting certification, workforce development, education, and industry collaboration initiatives. Operational deployment services are conducted separately through affiliated field service organizations.

© 2026 K9 Pipeline Detection Association. All rights reserved.

Status Statement

K9PDA is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is pending.

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