Shelter pup finds family, job at Texas utility

When Alex Whiteway started at Arlington Water Utilities in Texas, he knew one thing for certain.

The utility needed — no, it deserved — a leak detection dog.

He spent months at his previous employer, working to identify and train a dog so when he arrived at Arlington, he wasted no time.

“I told them about the idea — that I really wanted to do it — and everyone liked it,” said Whiteway, who started as utility director in 2024.

“At first, some people were like, ‘Really? A dog?’ I told them, ‘Yes, a dog!’ The fire department has them; dogs sniff out drugs for the police department; they sniff out bombs for U.S. soldiers; and they can sniff out chlorine,” he said. (Chlorine is usually the scent that leak detection dogs pick up on when they alert handlers to a leak underground.)

Arlington Water Utilities found its match in a then-four-month-old husky mix at a local animal shelter. Now named Splash, the puppy had a knack for chasing balls and was food motivated so they adopted him and sent him off to training.

The program comprised three months of general obedience training, followed by three months of specific training to detect the chlorine present in underground water main leaks. Richard Everhart, who is Splash’s handler, also joined for portions of the training to build rapport with Splash.Once Splash was back in Arlington, they continued training on his home turf. Now, they’re a working duo.

“When I clip him into the harness instead of the flat collar, he knows it’s time to get after it,” said Everhart, who is meter services manager at Arlington Water Utilities.

The utility keeps data on Splash’s work, including how deep the pipes are when he alerts, the type of pipe and diameter, the outside temperature and any wind present, and whether the alert was accurate. This not only keeps a record but also helps refine training if needed.

Typically, Everhart takes Splash out when the utility’s satellite mapping system notes a POI, or point of interest. “It gives us a general idea,” and Splash pinpoints the leak, he said.

Every search requires so much focus that Splash usually naps for 30-40 minutes afterward. “It takes so much brain power — they’re so intent, so focused on what they’re doing,” he said.

Splash, who is predominantly a husky breed (with some lab, chihuahua, and cattle dog mixed in), has become a community ambassador too.

“He is a celebrity in Arlington,” Whiteway said. “It really helps us deliver the message of water conservation and how important water is. When people ask about Splash, it sparks a conversation — why it is important to find leaks, and why we care.”

Just as important as choosing the right dog has been choosing the right handler, Whiteway said. “Make sure they’re committed and passionate about it and want to do it,” he said. Splash lives with Everhart’s family when he’s not in the office.

“I’ve had dogs my whole life, so it wasn’t a huge gap to bridge,” Everhart said, “but I talked to my wife to make sure we were on the same page.” (They have a young daughter. “Splash does whatever she says,” he said and laughed.)

He added: “I thought it was innovative; I had never heard of a leak detection dog before, and I’ve been in the industry just shy of 20 years. So I thought, ‘Why not?’”