Valves are essential components of water systems, ensuring proper flow and preventing leakage and water loss. Over time, valves can become damaged or worn, leading to inefficiencies in the system and potential for water loss. Therefore, it’s crucial to regularly assess the condition of valves to maintain optimal function and prevent potential issues. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of assessing valve condition, signs of damage and wear, methods for valve assessment and the benefits of regular assessment.
Valves are mechanical devices that regulate the flow of water within a system. They can be used to turn water on and off, regulate flow rates and control pressure. Over time, valves can become damaged or worn due to a variety of factors such as aging, corrosion or environmental factors. Damaged or worn valves can lead to water leakage and water loss, leading to inefficiencies in the system and potential for increased bills.
There are several signs that indicate a valve is damaged or worn. These can include:
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to assess the valve’s condition to determine the extent of the damage and take appropriate action.
Valves are critical components of water systems, and they are subject to a range of factors that can cause damage or wear. Identifying the common causes of valve damage and wear can help prevent these issues from occurring and ensure the optimal function of the water system.
The parts of the valve can become worn or corroded over time, leading to inefficiencies in the system and potential for water leakage and water loss. Aging valves should be regularly assessed to identify any potential issues and ensure proper function.
Valves that are constantly in use may become worn or damaged more quickly than those that are used less frequently. Regular assessment of high-use valves can help identify any potential issues and prevent system failures.
There are various methods for assessing valve condition. One method is visual inspection, where an expert examines the valve for any signs of damage or wear. This method is useful for identifying visible signs of damage, such as corrosion or physical damage.
Another method is pressure testing, which involves applying pressure to the valve to determine its ability to withstand pressure. This method can help identify any leaks or weaknesses in the valve that may not be visible during visual inspection.
Ultrasonic testing is another method used to assess valve condition. This method involves using ultrasonic waves to identify any weaknesses or defects in the valve’s structure. It can detect any internal damage that may not be visible during visual inspection.
Regular assessment of valve condition can provide several benefits. First and foremost, it can help prevent water leakage and water loss, which can lead to reduced water bills and increased water conservation efforts. It can also help identify any potential issues before they become major problems, reducing the need for costly repairs or replacement.
Additionally, regular valve assessment can help ensure the efficient operation of the system, reducing the risk of system failures and downtime. It can also extend the lifespan of the valves, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs.
Aqua Analytics is an expert in valve condition assessment, and we’re dedicated to helping our clients maintain optimal function in their water systems. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you ensure the efficient operation of your water system.
For water utilities, controlling leaks and reducing non-revenue water can be a significant challenge. To ensure maximum efficiency in water distribution networks, it is important to understand what water loss management is, and how you can best address water loss through strategic management solutions.
At Aqua Analytics, we are passionate about implementing effective water loss management strategies to improve operational efficiencies for water utilities, ensure a reliable supply for their customers, and positively contribute to sustainable water networks.
Water loss management is the implementation of strategies, tactics, and activities to reduce water loss from a distribution network. Lost water can stem from leaks, burst pipes and incorrect meter registration or other administrative errors. The water lost within the system is referred to as real losses. Non-revenue water is drinking water that has been captured, treated, and pumped but does not reach its intended destination. This can prove costly to water utility providers as it has been processed, and costs incurred, but not paid for by an end customer.
Effective water loss management requires a tailored approach, as every utility and scenario is unique. These projects will be specific to each water utility and sometimes to sections within a water management system.
At the beginning of any water loss and pressure management project, the consulting party should work closely with the utility to understand their objectives, budget, network requirements, and long-term goals. These asset management plans must be consistent with other aspects of their strategic or corporate objectives for the most effective results.
To provide further detail about “what is water loss management?”, here are six key questions that we always consider when working on any water management project.
After all these questions have been answered, and the project goals are identified, water loss experts can then deploy various tools, techniques, and technologies to identify problem areas and study the relevant sections of the water network. With these areas identified, recommendations can be made to improve the network and reduce loss with improvements to infrastructure, monitoring and the replacement or remediation of pipeline sections. When considering the question of “What is water loss management?”, it is essential to note that management projects vary in requirements and time frames. Some utilities will request short term assistance or resolve immediate issues, while others contract water loss technicians on a long-term project for more holistic remediation and ongoing management. Additionally, as a project progresses, the requirements and costs could vary. It is essential to continually review the techniques and processes utilised to ensure the most cost-effective and efficient strategies are being implemented.
Read more: Losses in Water Distribution Networks – What are they?
One of the primary activities carried out when assessing a water management network is leak detection. Active leak detection is essential in identifying where leaks are present and reducing the effects of non-revenue water. Improvements in leak detection technology have produced a whole suite of devices and processes which can be utilised and tailored to each project. Leak detection equipment includes listening sticks, ground microphones, leak noise correlators and acoustic leak detection devices. An approach that uses multiple pieces of equipment can provide accurate locations of the leaks and areas of the pipeline that require remediation.
Minimum night flowing monitoring is utilised to determining the extent of the water loss within the network. Between midnight and 5 am, most water networks are operating at their minimum requirement. This period of reduced fluctuation and minimal flow provides the perfect opportunity to conduct a minimum flow test and study the networks level of water loss.
Another aspect of understanding what water loss is, is acknowledging the importance of preventative measures that reduce existing water inefficiencies and provide long term solutions to mitigate their effects. The implementation of permanent leak monitoring provides utilities with access to real-time data that allows them to identify and repair emerging leaks. Identifying these leaks before they cause a catastrophic failure is a massive advantage for utilities as the resources required for repairs and downtimes are significantly reduced. Monitoring devices such as noise loggers can be implemented in permanent or semi-permanent configurations and provide detailed diagnostic information remotely to improve decision-making.
Aqua Analytics, we are passionate about using data and technology-driven solutions for all water management projects. Internet of things (IoT) devices allow for remote, real-time data collection for on-site inspections, real-time monitoring, and water loss management projects. The implementation of these data enabled components to contribute to developing a smart water network that improves the efficiency, longevity, and reliability of the physical water utilities. IoT devices for water pipelines are also incredibly affordable and easy to install, making them perfect for utilities looking to embrace digital solutions and improve overall operations.
The Benefits of Ongoing Water Loss Management While ongoing water loss management projects will not have a set conclusion, it is possible to continually monitor and review the performance of the utility network, or at least, a section of it. Ongoing assessments will involve collecting data and analysing it against the initial and recent performance of the network. An ongoing strategy will continually seek to improve on key performance indicators. Three critical aims for any water loss management project are:
Reduced Levels of Leakage – remediations to sources of leaks and improved monitoring reduce the amount of treated water lost underground.
More Reliable Water Supply – fixing existing or damaged pipes at risk of significant bursts reduces the frequency and efficiency reductions of catastrophic events.
Improved Water Quality – a more secure water network with fewer leaks will reduce the potential for contamination. Additionally, enhanced monitoring controls improve troubleshooting processes and identification of any variations in quality levels. Improved water quality and the reliability of the network enhances compliance and safety for customers.
The reduced leakage and increased reliability and quality all positively affect the efficiency of the water management network. Increased operational efficiencies positively contribute to the overall costs for the utility. It also improves the overall sustainability of the pipeline with less energy required to deliver the water to its intended destination.
Read more: What are smart water networks?
If you would like any more information regarding “what is water loss management?”, do not hesitate to get in touch with the team at Aqua Analytics. We have over 20 years of experience in water loss management and active leak detection projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. We pride ourselves on results-driven work and providing excellent service to our customers.
We continue to be the team that water utilities across Australia and New Zealand turn to when they require expert water loss and pressure management assistance. If you would like more information about our services or to enquire about how we can help you, contact us today.
Since the early 1980s, the internet has come a long way in integrating with our daily lives and workflows. In addition to popular uses like browsing and telecommuting, we can now harness its benefits in the form of Internet of Things (IoT). This provides:
At Aqua Analytics, we use various IoT-enabled technologies to aid the NRW reduction efforts of numerous water utilities throughout the region.
Acoustic devices equipped with IoT can constantly monitor the unique sound signature exhibited by leaking pipelines. Timely detection helps reduce NRW levels, improves water loss management within utilities and lowers the risks of potential water main bursts due to leaks.
Active Leak Detection can also be performed by skilled technicians who use sounding devices in the field. However, more critical water mains require constant monitoring because they supply water to thousands, if not millions of customers. Additionally, sending a crew of technicians to check the same assets every day would be highly impractical and costly. Deploying IoT sensors can take care of this 24/7 and allows you to maximise your other resources.
IoT can help your NRW reduction campaign and prevent major damages and inconveniences like the above.
There is no single strategy for water network monitoring in Australia and New Zealand since many complex factors contribute to losses. Such variables may include the current level of NRW, the age of the pipeline network, and the assets’ locations. At Aqua Analytics, we provide IoT solutions customised depending on your needs and the characteristics of your pipe network.
For example, we can deploy dozens of pressure transient monitoring devices to cover an entire water distribution zone. Likewise, we can install a couple of acoustic loggers and leave them for a period to pinpoint suspected leaks along a pipeline. In both cases, IoT allows you to track pressure transients or view acoustic data at any time. Moreover, you can configure the devices to record and send data at user-defined intervals or alert the right people should issues arise.
According to water management experts at Qatium, water companies tend to waste terabytes-worth of data they collect about their assets. These typically include Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files, water meter readings, and hydraulic models, etc.
All this information could be utilised more efficiently for water network monitoring through the Internet of Things. For instance, remote noise loggers and sensors with 4G SIM cards can send data to a central data hub. Depending on your needs, this will let you automatically append data to GIS databases, update monitoring dashboards, and create alerts when needed.
IoT can link to your water management platform, providing you vital asset intelligence at your fingertips.
At Aqua Analytics, we are committed to helping you reduce water loss and minimise the risks of pipeline failures. We offer deep knowledge and experience with IoT platforms, Smart Water technologies, and communications solutions. If you have existing IoT devices, SCADA, or GIS, we can consolidate them through a brand-agnostic smart water platform like GoAigua.
Our approach to water network monitoring uses the best technologies to deliver actionable insights and tangible results. For more information, please visit aquaanalytics.com.au or email us at [email protected].
According to recent research from Monash University, pipeline failure costs water utilities around Australia $1.5billion each year in renewal and maintenance. The country has more than 180,000 kilometres of buried water pipe networks and as they continue to age, performing ongoing pipeline condition assessment is more relevant than ever.
But why do pipelines fail?
People might think that failures are always sudden pipe bursts that cause massive leakage and service interruptions. However, the majority of cases are more subtle due to gradual deterioration and leaks that are not readily visible. Below, we explore some key factors that can affect the process:
Pipes built using dated methods and materials are typically high-risk, but age does not solely determine the risk of failure. From our years of experience in the water management industry, we found that urban areas with heavy vehicle traffic and dense infrastructure have a higher potential for water loss.
Water supply networks in the country have been ageing, but simply replacing all old pipes can be cost-prohibitive. Risk-based approaches and continual monitoring would be the best way to prioritize zones for rehabilitation.
Corrosion is perhaps the most widely known cause of pipeline failure, but the severity of its impacts is related to the pipe material. For instance, cast iron (CI) pipes are the most susceptible to rusting. With an average life expectancy of 25-50 years, these become brittle and prone to cracking over the years. Older CI pipes installed using poor practices by today’s standards are at a higher risk.
On the other hand, ductile iron (DI) pipes are more resistant to corrosion, tension, and pressure – making them last for 75 years or more. However, this also means they can support large leaks for long periods without failure. That is why active leak detection is vital in reducing losses and Non-revenue Water (NRW).
Lastly, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes are the most resistant to corrosion and are less brittle than metallic pipes. Failure can typically be traced to joints where the leakage causes unplanned stress on the pipeline.
While corrosion plays a significant part in pipe failures, the process is more complex due to numerous other factors. For example, soil-pipe interactions over long periods can weaken pipelines and cause leakage.
A 2018 research shows that rainfall-induced soil movement can affect the integrity of buried pipes. Likewise, slope and relative movements between the ground and the pipelines can cause eventual failure.
Water companies sometimes install their pipelines on sloping grounds due to safety or environmental concerns. In the event of a slope or embankment instability, the pipes might suffer from external stress.
According to another 2018 study, road traffic has unfavourable impacts on water distribution pipelines. This is particularly true with densely populated urban areas and a high volume of daily traffic and infrastructure work. Filler earth and moving vehicles apply external pressure on the pipes, and this effect becomes more pronounced if the pipelines have been buried closer to the surface.
The bottom line is that pipes in urban centers are typically at a higher risk than those with less vehicular traffic and construction work. The former also has more customers who depend on a steady water supply. This is why frequent rehabilitation work and pipeline condition assessment are required for these areas.
In the end, pipeline failure isn’t just determined by any single factor. A pipe’s age and material might affect its durability, but its location, immediate soil-pipe interactions, and quality of construction have significant impacts.
The risks might also be higher for highly urbanised areas with heavy vehicular traffic, dense settlements and infrastructure, and nearby gas or power utilities. As such, pipeline condition assessment and active leak detection are more critical and time-sensitive than ever.
At Aqua Analytics, we can help you obtain better information on the condition of your buried pipelines. We can provide advanced digital solutions for your water and wastewater assets like remote monitoring equipment and devices powered by Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies. This will help you make timely and data-driven management decisions.
With over 20 years of industry experience, we have inspected more than 150,000 kilometres of active water mains and use the latest state-of-the-art tools for pipeline condition assessment. We implement technology-driven solutions, but we don’t just conduct them on a desktop. Our skilled technicians go on-site to obtain “ground truth” information and work closely with our customers.
Contact us to learn more about our services or schedule a complimentary consultation. We look forward to working with you!
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When it comes to finding leaks in water supply networks, a range of acoustic leak detection technology is required to achieve successful results.
Organisations often overlook the need to couple this technology with skilled field teams. Professional field technicians can correctly use the technology and apply it to the situation to succeed. Success is finding all leaks within a specific part of the supply network (such as DMA) and providing diggable locations with pinpoint accuracy. Achieving both these steps not only leads to a reduction in non-revenue water in the specific area, but it also means lower repair costs from minimised excavation and repair efforts.
This blog post highlights the best leak detection technology and methodologies for finding leaks in Australia and New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience finding leaks in municipal water networks, Aqua Analytics is well-positioned to help water utilities reduce their leakage and operate more efficient systems.
The topics covered in this post are:
These devices allow skilled operators to identify the distinctive acoustic signal of water escaping a pipe under pressure. Acoustic listening sticks are a leak detection technology commonly used during active leak detection survey work or when undertaking site assessments to determine the presence of, or potential location of, a leak. And while in some countries overseas, they persevere with manual listening sticks to find leaks, our experience demonstrates the need to utilise electronically amplified listening sticks for the best results.
Most leak detection equipment providers manufacture these devices, including Sewerin, HWM, Fuji-Tecom and Gutermann. The cost of these devices can vary from AUD 1500-3500 per device, and the quality ranges considerably.
Acoustic noise loggers have been in the leakage toolbox for over two decades. Initially, loggers were supposed to replace skilled technicians, and the early iterations would provide a binary output, usually obtained from drive-by radio collection. The intent was to have these more permanently deployed. However, water authorities or leak detection contractors would often revert to a “lift and shift” model that saw the devices move as frequently as daily (once they had collected data from the previous night).
More recently, and coinciding with the evolution of mobile communication technology, these devices have become correlating and are sending data via traditional cellphone network infrastructure. Some of the latest versions use NarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT), a standards-based low power wide area (LPWA) technology developed to enable a wide range of new IoT devices and services. NB-IoT significantly improves the power consumption of devices, system capacity and spectrum efficiency. In the context of water supply networks, NB-IoT has helped with communication below ground into chambers with cast-iron lids or similar.
These devices send data daily, and their associated smart water software platforms enable multi-point correlation, and leak locations are immediately provided for repair teams to action. It is important to remember that an accurate GIS is always essential to ensure asset location and distances are correctly input into correlation calculations.
Gutermann is a leader in correlating noise loggers and was an early adopter of the NB-IoT standard. Ovarro also has correlating loggers, including the option of using hydrophones, which assist with monitoring and detection of leaks larger diameter trunk mains. These devices are typically AUD 1500 each for accelerometers and up to AUD 10,000 for devices with hydrophones.
Skilled water network technicians utilise leak noses correlators to pinpoint leaks with confidence. Leak noise correlators get deployed by leakage technicians when they are unsure of the exact leakage location, for instance, when a similar noise on two appurtenances 150 meters apart.
Accelerometer sensors are deployed on the pipe on either side of the suspected leak location, and the pipeline diameter and material are entered into the correlator computer. Mathematical algorithms determine the exact location of specific noise profiles on the pipe. They corr elate the noises that reach both sensors and measure the time delay to travel along the pipeline from the leak location to each sensor.
In 1979, Palmer Environmental developed their first leak noise correlator collaborating with the Water Research Council. This device was enclosed in an orange metal case and was heavy and complicated. It was so large that it would often fill the entire storage space in a van and get refined every few years.
Despite manufacturer assurances, capabilities on PVC and PE pipelines continue to be sporadic at best. Essentially, the devices rely on the ability to ‘hear’ the leak at the two sensor locations to provide an accurate output on leakage location. Leak noise correlators cost approximately AUD 15,000 to 25,000 and regularly firmware upgrades are available from manufacturers.
Often viewed as the favourite tool in the “leak detection toolbox”, a ground microphone is usually the final leak detection technology an operator uses before reporting a leak for repair (or discounted as no-leak). The device allows a custom ‘foot’ to be used above a pipeline, on concrete or bitumen surfaces, to listen to the sound generated. The sound of a leak on a pipeline underground will reverberate up through the soil and ground and be detectable above the pipeline.
A ground microphone may get used where water is seen visibly escaping through a road surface and pinpointing is required, or following a leak noise correlation to confirm (or otherwise) the leak location.
The devices are available from a range of leak detection equipment manufacturers and cost AUD 4,000 to 8,000 depending on required features and complexity.
Large diameter trunk mains experience acoustic propagation issues similar to PVC and PE reticulation mains. The sound generated by leaks doesn’t travel any significant distance to allow detection of all leaks on large diameter pipes using surface-mounted or water column monitoring devices. To find all leaks on big pipes, we need to change the leak detection methodology and take the sensor to the leak sound. The leak detection technologies that have become trusted in the last decade for detecting leaks on trunk mains often require a free-swimming device to be inserted into the pipeline.
Free-swimming devices collect an acoustic profile throughout the pipeline and can determine the location of all leaks (including those down to 0.1 litres per minute). The acoustic dataset and tracking data are combined to pinpoint leak locations accurately. Pure Technologies has offered free-swimming devices for over ten years, and more recently, they have also become available from Aganova. The use of these devices requires specialised trained crews, and the costs for trunk main leak detection are high compared to surface-based acoustic solutions. That said, due to the high level of water loss or consequence of failure on these large diameter mains, the cost is often easily justified by water authorities.
An active leak detection survey is a snapshot of leakage in a specific DMA, or sometimes whole towns, at one particular point in time. This task is an essential aspect of water loss management projects. Skilled teams of water network technicians move through the area systematically and listen for leaks, noting locations of interest before pinpointing and reporting for repair. When carrying out an active leak detection survey, technicians will leverage the entire leak detection technology toolbox.
At Aqua Analytics, we always work in two-person teams, primarily for health and safety reasons, but secondly for improved quality outcomes. This methodology allows us to deploy a skilled technician to either side of the water main to listen on all available hydrants, valves and property service connections along the entire water supply.
There is a range of psychological reasons why two-person teams outperform 2X one-person teams, and clients who engage this technique see outsized performance outcomes. Clients who engage low-cost service providers for active leak detection frequently find that leakage in specific areas of the network doesn’t reduce. Several contributing factors lead to this, including poor equipment quality, lack of competent training and quality management issues such as “ghost surveys” (marking off a pipeline as complete, when zero sounding occurred).
There are four pillars in leakage management for water distribution networks are pressure management, speed and quality of repairs, active leakage control, and asset management. To address the ‘speed and quality of repairs’, we see it as essential to report leaks in real-time and incorporate leak location data into enterprise asset management systems of water utilities. Faster reporting leads to more timely repair, which ultimately results in lower levels of leakage.
The Aqua Analytics team can report on their smartphones or field tablets, using custom GIS-centric software (automatically pulling attributes such as Asset ID numbers, DMA details, etc.), which can then incorporate into systems like IBM Maximo.
Paper forms are outdated and lead to other errors and longer leak run-times. Third-party data collection apps, such as Fulcrum or Formsite, are often not integrated into GIS or EAM systems. Data can end up in a siloed environment where limited value is created for the broader benefit of a non-revenue water program. Seamless data transfer into the enterprise environment is critical to successful leakage reduction projects.
Workplace health and safety is critical for Aqua Analytics, and we are focused on ensuring our teams can go home to their families at the end of each day. Most of our clients share this perspective and have a no-compromise stance when it comes to safety on their projects.
Good safety management is an investment — an investment in your people.
Working in two-person teams when completing active leak detection is a critical aspect for us, which has a secondary benefit of improved quality outcomes due to the ability to cross-check work. Field technicians are less likely to perform “ghost surveys” when working alongside a colleague, and generally, it is known to improve morale.
There is no silver-bullet technology to solve water loss or non-revenue water challenges in water networks. It takes dedication, great people and a sufficient budget to cover the completion of tasks to a high standard. While disruptive technology is attempting to find a silver bullet for water leak detection, at the current time, utilities who turn a blind eye to trained and skilled operators will see their leakage rates increase. The very nature of water networks, being buried and out of sight and in such substantial lengths, means that knowledgeable boots-on-the-ground personnel will always have a place to add considerable value to operations.
At Aqua Analytics, we are brand agnostic for water main leak detection technology. We utilise equipment from all major suppliers, including Gutermann, HWM, Fuji-Tecom and Ovarro. When coupled with a custom GIS-centric reporting platform, we give our clients an advantage in addressing their non-revenue water loss management.
To learn more or set up a complimentary consultation, contact us today.
With demand for water ever-increasing and supplies quickly diminishing, losses in water distribution networks are becoming more significant for the environment, the economy, and human health. Even in countries like Australia where we have well-developed infrastructure, water network losses from the pipe network are common and routinely factored into operational costs.
Aqua Analytics has pioneered smart water solutions for over 20 years across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Water loss management, active leak detection, and pipeline condition assessment are our primary service offerings. Keep reading to learn more about water loss distribution in networks, and how water loss prevention measures that could change the way we tackle water management in the future.
Water network losses refer to any water lost via leakage from mains, service pipes, and reservoirs in a water distribution system. All distribution systems experience water loss; the difference is, only the volume of the loss that varies from country to country or even region to region. Losses from leakages typically occur at joints and fittings in pipes, from leaking reservoir walls and reservoir overflows. There are also often issues surrounding unauthorised consumption, metering inaccuracies and inadequate distribution policies in water networks across developing and developed countries. The volume of water lost from any given distribution system will depend on a number of factors including:
Water distribution losses are important for three main reasons:
Diagnosing issues and implementing practical solutions is the most effective strategy that can be applied to any water company, in any country across the globe. Nothing can be done about water network losses if the issues leading to the leakages are not clearly identified first. Some useful diagnostic questions include:
To answer the diagnostic questions, you’ll need some diagnostic tools to take accurate readings. The accuracy of the information you base your strategy on is key to its success.
At Aqua Analytics, that’s exactly what we do. We diagnose issues in water distribution systems and create solutions to minimise those issues. We’re passionate about implementing the very latest digital technologies to improve operational efficiency, reduce leakages, and replace assets across water networks, when needed.
Our intelligent, technology-driven water network monitoring system will provide you with improved asset management. Some of the ways that we do this, include:
Skilled water network technicians utilise leak noses correlators to pinpoint leaks with confidence. Leak noise correlators get deployed by leakage technicians when they are unsure of the exact leakage location, for instance, when a similar noise on two appurtenances 150 meters apart.
Precise condition assessment for all assets in a water distribution system is vital to avoid unnecessary replacements and repairs while also making sure piping that is sub-standard is replaced immediately before it can cause further losses. We conduct meticulous inspections to help our customers make the right decision when it comes to the repair, replacement, and remediation of pipeline assets. Comprehensive analysis helps to determine the integrity of the system and pinpoint areas needing specific attention.
Our Internet-of-Things (IoT) network devices provide real-time feedback on water quality, water pressure variations, leakage detection and burst mains. Accurate monitoring allows for more effective management of daily operations and emergency events. Real-time feedback also reduces unexpected disruptions in the system and allows for efficient monitoring over time.
Often, water leakages will occur at joints and fittings, so accurately assessing the condition of all valves is highly advantageous. A valve is any device that regulates, directs, or controls the flow of water by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various pipelines. Therefore, evaluation of the mechanical condition and operational reliability of critical water network valves throughout a water supply system is essential for both everyday operation and in the case of an emergency when the water supply must be halted immediately. Using best-in-class valve condition assessment, Aqua Analytics can provide comprehensive reports detailing the function of the critical valve assets, the flow and pressure in the pipes, and the estimated remaining lifespan of all physical assets.
It is clear that minimising water distribution network losses is key to moving forward into a cleaner and more equitable society. The quality of the water we drink the financial impacts of water leakages and the restricted access to this life-giving resource that many suffer is enough to make water loss prevention a high priority for both developed and developing regions of the globe.
Across Australia and New Zealand, Aqua Analytics eagerly pursues water loss management projects. Our leading technicians pride themselves on completing work that is results-driven, making use of cutting-edge technology to provide exceptional services to water networks and utilities.
Aqua Analytics continue to be the go-to team for water utility providers – our technicians are here to answer any questions you have about losses in water distribution networks. Get in contact via phone or via our contact page to discuss your smart water network, water loss management or pipeline condition assessment project
Has your water network or business been experiencing water leaks? Are you looking for information on water loss prevention? Maybe you’re trying to find water loss management services or establish a non-revenue water project? Whatever your situation may be, you’ve come to the right place.
The team at Aqua Analytics has helped pioneer water loss prevention, active leak detection, non-revenue water reduction projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia for over 20 years. When it comes to water network management technology, there’s no one more equipped to inform than us; We’re in a unique position whereby our experience and knowledge allows us to contribute to improved operational efficiency and leakage reduction across the Asia-Pacific.
Every water supply system experiences an ‘unaccounted for’ percentage of water loss every year, losses that can result in significant revenue decline for water authorities or extensive property damage. In order to reduce the sheer wastage of water year in year out across the globe, strong water loss prevention measures need to be put in place.
Continue reading to learn more about why preventing water loss is important, the relevant measures and systems, and how Aqua Analytics is going about tackling this substantial issue.
Water that has been produced and is ‘lost’ before it reaches the end-user is referred to as ‘non-revenue water’. High levels of non-revenue water are incredibly harmful to the quality of the water itself and the financial strength of water corporations. There are sizeable financial costs in having water utilities treat and pump water, only to see it leak back into the ground, combined with the loss in water that would otherwise have been sold. Moreover, better water loss control measures can protect public health by reducing the number of potential entry points for bacteria or disease-inducing pathogens.
It is estimated that 34% of all water worldwide becomes non-revenue-water at some point. High levels of non-revenue are harmful to water supply, the financial strength of water corporations and public health. Effective water loss management will safeguard our planet’s long-term sustainability and protect public health.
To put into perspective how prominent this problem is, if the water losses in developing countries could be halved, this saved water would be enough to supply around 90 million people.
Typically, the collective management of water utilities across the globe hasn’t been making sufficient progress due to the labour and resource cost attached to finding and fixing leaks within existing systems. A lack of incentive and poor financial discipline within this space has further extenuated the problem, creating a lethargy that has left the industry exposed to pressures arising from climate change, water scarcity and increased expectations of consumers.
As such, it is abundantly clear that effective water network loss prevention systems must be put in place as soon as possible in order to safeguard our planet’s long-term sustainability.
Effective non-revenue water management and prevention will enable water networks and utility services to expand and improve, enhancing financial income, increasing climate resilience, reducing energy consumption, and making cities more aesthetically pleasing. Better water management resulting in more saved water would improve the bottom line of service providers and decrease the necessity for water extraction, which in turn saves labour cost and improves the fundamental resilience of city networks. Furthermore, reducing non-revenue water has many knock-on effects, including reducing the cost of producing drinking water, reducing pressures on local water resources, increasing overall operational efficiency and more. In saying this, preventing water loss enough to make a noticeable worldwide difference requires extensive manpower and a cohesive effort across diplomatic institutions. On a smaller scale, water leak prevention efforts can result in the following benefits:
Finding leaks early through solid preventative leak detection measures or real-time monitoring with smart sensors means that leaks don’t have time to grow in size and become a more catastrophic failure. Finding leaks early is a prudent asset management approach that can lead to less disruption to customers and a lower cost to the municipality.
Identifying leaks early means that repairs can be done before it becomes a severe problem, saving time and money that would otherwise be left for emergency or overtime costs. It allows the leak to be scheduled for repair at a suitable time of the day and not repaired under an emergency scenario leading to higher direct costs (such as overtime).
Finding leaks, even while they’re relatively small, will save substantial amounts of water and generate revenue that otherwise would be lost. The overall environmental impact is also reduced considerably, as fewer alternative water sources such as desalination or new dams need to be considered.
Here at Aqua Analytics, we’re the industry leaders in effective water loss management strategies for major public water networks, regional councils, and local government, taking a proactive approach to water loss and leakage management that generates long-lasting results. We understand the need for individualised and tailored water loss management solutions, as what may have worked in one scenario may not apply to another due to asset age, soil type, construction methods or topography.
As such, we have a range of techniques and solutions backed by innovative technology to call on, with the sole intention of preventing high levels of water loss in Australia and New Zealand. If you’ve been wondering ‘how do water utilities prevent leakage?’, here are some of the ways we look to tackle the prominent issue of non-revenue water:
High-quality products and materials are the backbones of any effective water system; expenses and complications linked to poor quality products far exceed the cost attached to a solid, well-planned solution.
Water utility systems need to have asset management plans consistent with other areas of the existing overall strategy of the business. These management plans should be specific to each utility (and even supply zone or DMA), as what works for one may not work for another. When formulating a water loss management or water asset management plan, you must consider resource allocation, potential savings, regulators, data sources, a non-revenue water limit, the economic level of leakage (ELL) and any relevant political considerations.
In alignment with a proactive strategy, real-time data collection and regular on-site inspections reduce the risk of continued water loss and allow for improved conditions within the water network. Active leakage control and the improved speed and quality of repairs that come with regular monitoring work to reduce financial outlay over time. Our data-collection method is centred on smart technology and can be conducted remotely; our solutions seek to provide all clients with short and long-term benefits. We are able to customise field intelligence and data collection tools, smart water software platforms or leak detection software tools.
To ensure the development and effective maintenance of a well-equipped water network, knowledge sharing should be a priority – not only in technical insights but also a more overarching view of its necessity concerning sustainability and environmental concerns. Our staff are water industry professionals who are committed to water utility asset management projects.
Information on these two areas can be shared through company messaging systems, posters in high-traffic areas and regular meetings that keep the employee base in the loop on these topics. Incentivising staff engagement with the idea development process is another great way to develop cohesion and efficiency.
At Aqua Analytics, we’ve pioneered smart water network management solutions in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia for over 20 years. Our extensive experience has afforded us immense knowledge in this space – we’re uniquely positioned to implement digital solutions to improve operational efficiency in water systems and reduce resource expense in the maintenance and repairs of failing systems.
We place a strong emphasis on clear lines of communication, and our water network technicians have undergone customer service training to ensure the best client experience possible. At the start of a project, we’ll work closely with you to understand your objectives, budget, regulations, and long-term vision. We’ll be a true partner, an extension of your existing team committed to the achievement of your KPIs.
If you require assistance with water loss management, leak detection or pipeline condition assessment, please contact us today.
Why Going Spatial Matters
In this day and age, GIS is no longer an optional luxury for water management systems. It is a necessity.
Data on assets such as pipes, valves, hydrants, and meters live in tables containing gigabytes’ worth of information. A Geographic Information System (GIS) adds spatiality to this data, making it more valuable and accessible to water utility companies, their partners, and technicians on the field. For instance, planning a water loss management or network rehabilitation project requires a bird’s eye view of your assets. A spreadsheet can sort pipelines according to age, repair history, priority level, and many other categories. However, you get further insight by seeing the same information laid out on an interactive map.
According to the Environmental Science Research Institute (ESRI), GIS benefits organisations through “improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making.” True indeed, GIS products can help water industry professionals plan their operations better. They can address issues more efficiently, reduce operational costs and energy consumption, and minimise losses due to delayed response.
Whenever you ask a “where” question, GIS can help. Where can we find the most critical assets? Where are hazards and constraints located with respect to the distribution network? What are the risks, and where are they? These and other related enquiries are all geospatial.
GIS apps allow you to pull different types of locational data from various sources to address these questions. You can georeference plans and record drawings to convert them into digital versions of your pipelines, valves, hydrants, and water network features. Similarly, you can overlay them with cadastral maps, road networks, topography, land use, and spatial data downloadable from government websites.
In some instances, locating assets is a challenge due to a lack of accurate drawings, the nature of the terrain, or the age of the water network. GIS can aid you in narrowing down your search. For example, examining historical satellite imagery can provide leads about the pipe alignment. With luck, you can even find an aerial photo of the pipeline during construction and mark the coordinates on your map.
Accurate maps are essential to carry out work with maximum accuracy and minimal disruption if excavation is required. Using various GIS-enhanced methods and Global Positioning System (GPS) tools, one can pinpoint a leak’s location on the map with a sub-meter accuracy or even better.
With an accurate GIS, you can make data-driven decisions and know exactly where your assets are
Viewing and updating water network information is equally crucial on the field as on a desktop. Field technicians now use GIS-enabled apps on their phones and tablets to plan inspection routes and record their findings for the day.
These mobile field apps allow field technicians access to information on the assets they’re interacting with on-site. Likewise, they can submit reports, attach photos, and even update maps remotely.
GIS tools can be customised to suit the task at hand, including active leak detection and valve condition assessment, based on project goals and objectives. It also reduces the chance of data losses and human error when recording data, compared to writing everything down with a pen and clipboard. Mobile GIS and spatial data capture solutions are beneficial to technicians who perform active leak detection every day.
The future for GIS and fieldwork is shaping to be interesting as well. In the coming years, Augmented Reality (AR) will be used in the field to visualise complex networks of pipes with varying diameters and depths from the ground.
Mobile GIS and inspection apps like Survey123 allow seamless integration of desktop and field mapping (Photo courtesy of ESRI ArcGIS)
A water utility GIS can also be integrated into various leak detection and pressure transient monitoring platforms. When smart water meters or acoustic sensors detect anomalies, these can trigger alerts and alarms. With geographic data available on-demand, water companies can immediately locate and mitigate the problem leading to better customer service outcomes.
Additionally, GIS can communicate with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These allow rapid and remote data collection for most water loss management projects. Such data-enabled equipment aids in building smart water networks and promotes the reliability and longevity of water utilities.
The advantage of these tools is that they are scalable based on the nature and scope of an operation. Water companies can opt to create map dashboards to monitor their hydrophones while integrating them into their Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system or smart water network software platform. These solutions can be used to inspect a single short pipeline or manage dozens of metered water distribution zones simultaneously.
Aqua Analytics has pioneered smart water network management solutions in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. With more than 20 years of experience, our team has solid background and knowledge in this space and can assist with the digitalisation of existing water network management projects and workflows.
We help water utilities implement digital solutions to help reduce water loss, establish intelligent water networks, active leak detection, and real-time IoT pipeline monitoring. Using cutting-edge technologies and GIS tools, we deliver accurate and timely results that provide actionable insight. Moreover, our maps and reporting systems can be customised to suit our clients’ GIS and asset management systems and their overall project goals and objectives.
Please call us at 1800 264 262 (AU) or 0800 345 697 (NZ) or visit our contact page for more information.
The 4th of December 2021 is World Water Loss Day. This event was initiated in 2019 by the International Water Loss Association (IWA) to “raise awareness of the enormous problem of water losses from drinking water distribution systems and the need to get more serious fighting it.”
According to IWA’s estimates, water losses from drinking water supply networks worldwide amount to 346 billion litres every day. Reducing water loss by at least 30% provides sufficient savings to supply treated water to 800 million people!
Water companies worldwide employ various strategies to detect, manage, and reduce water loss. Over the past century, pipeline leak detection technologies have evolved from analog tools to more sophisticated and digitally-enabled equipment. Utilities in Australia and abroad have taken great strides to lessen wastage and provide better services to their respective customers – but it’s always a work in progress.
World Water Loss Day is a perfect opportunity to look back at the early beginnings of water network management – and how far it has come.
Read more: Expert Water Loss Management in Australia and New Zealand
There are extensive accounts on water networks built by earlier civilisations in Egypt and India, but the Roman Aqueducts are perhaps the most popular. The engineers of the Roman Empire constructed an extensive series of pipes, canals, bridges, and tunnels across their territories from 312 BC to 226 AD. With gravity and the natural terrain, the aqueducts channelled water from springs and lakes into the cities.
These networks provided water for drinking, irrigation, and hundreds of public baths and fountains. . Public and private entities funded construction, and rulers like Augustus, Caligula, and Trajan ordered aqueducts to be built. According to National Geographic, aqueducts remain in present-day Turkey, Greece, France, Spain, and North Africa.
However, managing an extensive water supply network came with plenty of challenges. Firstly, expansion required thorough planning and years of construction. Bridges with rounded stone arches were built to traverse European valleys, while several kilometres of brick-faced concrete pipes and canals ran throughout the empire. Central Rome itself had 11 systems that supplied fresh water from lakes as far as 90 km away.
With such an expansive network, key officials were assigned to handle regular inspection and maintenance of the infrastructure. Perhaps the most detailed records of early water loss management systems can be found in the accounts of Sextus Julius Frontinus.
Frontinus was a prominent military general, civil engineer, and senator during the late 1st century AD. In his report entitled De Aquaeductu Urbis Romae (On the Water Management of the City of Rome), he detailed the condition, problems, and corresponding solutions of the water system circa 96 AD.
Interestingly, the issues he identified 2000 years ago are not too different from modern-day concerns of water utility companies in our cities and towns. For instance, Frontinus reported extensive water loss that resulted from older pipes and canals. He also noted that trees were particularly harmful since “their roots dislodge the vaulted coverings and sides of the conduits… and deny access for maintenance.”
As such, ordinances were raised to prohibit landholders from planting trees, shrubs, and brambles at a certain distance from the aqueducts. Roman engineers performed visual inspection and repairs on conduits above ground, ensuring that the masonry was sound. However, they noted the difficulty of identifying underground leaks, a problem that all water utilities still face in 2021.
They also reported water loss due to theft, particularly on Aqua Appia and Anio – two of the oldest aqueducts in the City of Rome. “The conduits of Appia and Anio had fallen into disrepair through long use, and their waters were being fraudulently diverted by private individuals,” said Frontinus. While water theft from supply systems is uncommon in Australia and New Zealand, it is prevalent in developing countries. De Aquaeductu documented the proposed laws to punish water theft and address Rome’s increasing water demand at the time. They even built several castella or settling tanks to help remove sediments from the water supply. This is akin to water treatment and filtration plants that we have today.
Let’s jump to the 1800s. Centuries later, detecting leaks in buried pipelines remained a challenge to water utilities worldwide. The period coincided with the Industrial Revolution when the population in major cities and water demand continued to rise rapidly.
In 1878, New Jersey professor Alfred Mayer invented a listening device called the topophone. The wearable instrument enabled the user to determine the source and direction of sound waves.
Read more: Learn about implementing smart water networks.
This World Water Loss Day and beyond, water utility companies should rethink the effectiveness and sustainability of their leakage reduction strategies. In addition to improving customer service and alleviating waste, there should be a greater emphasis that water is a precious and finite resource. This is especially relevant given the impact of climate change on our environment.
As such, investing in real-time monitoring solutions like smart water metres, acoustic monitoring technologies, and transient pressure monitoring devices may be viable for long-term asset management. When combined with highly skilled field teams, Internet of Things (IoT) and integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), water professionals can now rapidly identify leaks and provide timely repairs that lead to better customer service, environmental and financial outcomes.
At Aqua Analytics, we believe in learning from history and maximising the potential of technology in addressing water loss and finding leaks. We help water utilities in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia implement projects that deliver insight and impact to reduce water loss and leakage in distribution networks.
Please call us at 1800 264 262 (AU) or 0800 345 697 (NZ) or visit our contact page for more details.
Originally published on 1st December 2021
The last 12 months have seen a significant shift in the way we work and the municipal water sector has not been immune — many have had to adapt to working away from the office managing field teams and a huge range of assets. While the theme of “smart water technologies” or “digital transformation” in the sector has been around for several years, the new ways in which we are working has accelerated these conversations and seen an understanding that this need is critical to the resilience of our operations. Here are 7 trends for smart water technology and approaches in Australia and New Zealand.
Here are 7 smart water technology trends I expect to see throughout 2021 in the municipal water sector in Australia and Zealand. Some of these are likely applicable in other places around the world.
Most water utilities in Australia and New Zealand already understand the concept and value that can be created by the use of smart water solutions — this was highlighted in 2019 when over 130 people attended the inaugural SWAN APAC Alliance Workshop. The events of the past 12 months have further emphasised the significant benefits smart solutions can provide to operate networks effectively.
The challenge with water network data is many device manufactures, brands or resellers are trying to create recurring revenue streams by ensuring their data is only accessible in their portal. Such an approach creates significant inefficiencies and erodes any value that could be created through the consolidation of data to obtain greater network insights.
In 2021, we will see a greater focus on exploring unification of IoT device data, SCADA, GIS and Smart Metering and other data in a consolidated brand-agnostic smart water platform (such as GoAigua) or building out their own (similar to Sydney Water’s EOI for software vendors to develop an artificial intelligence solution for water in 2020) to ensure proactive informed decision-making and insights can be derived across typically siloed business units.
The region has a proliferation of industry groups that undertakes water technology pilots and proof of concepts to understand how these could be used by utilities in a business-as-usual environment (one example is the recently established W-Lab, a collaboration between Isle Utilities, WSAA and ThinkPlace). For new or emerging technology, this gives them access to assets and an environment in which to test their innovation and make improvements before commercialisation. For proven solutions, including those entering the Australian or New Zealand markets for the first time, it is often a test-ground to demonstrate the technology has applicability in local conditions.
For proven smart water technologies with a demonstrable track record and a solid business case, this year will see them accelerate out of pilots and trials into use at scale at water utilities.
The ability to receive real-time (or near real-time) data from a water network, for a range of parameters, allows better decisions. With the convergence of sensor, energy and communications technologies, there is now more acceptance that monitoring water networks can be achieved cost-effectively and drive improved business performance.
In 2021, following a prolonged period of where many were working from home, we will see increased demand for obtaining real-time awareness of water and wastewater network operations and performance.
Of particular interest will be real-time water quality monitoring (such as that available from TracWater in Queensland) to ensure greater regulatory compliance and to avoid any major contamination events. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in large scale real-time monitoring projects that assist with operational decision making, particularly as many large water utilities implement the learnings from pilot and trial projects.
In Australia, utilities are exploring the value of smart water meters and the practicalities of their use, including trialling a range of network types to understand what is applicable for different parts of their network. One example is WaterGroup’s NUmeter with fully integrated NB-IoT communications ensuring low setup costs and easy deployment.
In New Zealand, they are even a step behind, with the conversation still stuck at talking about water meters period. In Auckland, they’ve had water meters since the 1990s and are charged on consumption. As a result, they use 30% less water per person than Wellington users, who don’t have meters. It has become a very political issue but to fund the considerable water infrastructure investments required in the next few decades, there needs to be wider use of metering throughout the country.
There is evidence that pricing incentives, coupled with education campaigns and regulation encourage users to conserve water. This was highlighted on the Kāpiti Coast, which saw a 26% reduction in water use since water meters, pricing and education campaigns were introduced in 2014.
The majority of New Zealand has an opportunity to skip the cycle of manual water meters and move straight to smart water meters (perhaps those from Kamstrup, which have embedded acoustic sensors to detect network leakage). We expect to see this theme across many cities in the region in 2021 as they look to leverage the power of smart metering data for demand management and water loss reduction efforts.
Water loss management across Australia and New Zealand has not improved for a couple of decades. While there is the odd exception, many have seen levels of leakage in their networks remain relatively stagnant over a long duration. In 2021 we expect to see rethinking in the way water loss management projects are established, delivered and measured; with an increased focus on linking service provider compensation to results (see more about Performance Based Non-Revenue Water Contracts).
The below image shows Real Losses in MLD for four Australian cities since 2004. Blue is service connection leakage, orange is water main leakage.
The establishment of Virtual DMAs (district metered areas) will become more common in Australia and New Zealand in 2021, a concept where a water network set up with open hydraulics and the use of sensors and devices, such as insertion flow meters, to understand levels of water loss in virtual zones. This alleviates the typical problems encountered with traditional DMAs, such as water quality issues and significant upfront capital requirements. Virtual DMAs, when coupled with a powerful smart water platform, real-time monitoring and active leak detection these can make a significant impact on water loss levels.
Over the past several years, many utilities have embarked on smart water solutions in some shape or form. They understand the tremendous value they can provide to their business and operations but also understand the challenges they face when deploying innovation. For example, field activities such as battery replacements, theft, damage and communications. Smaller utilities also face a financial hurdle where the capital requirements are out of their reach to embark on smart water projects at a meaningful scale.
In 2021 we will see a move towards more innovative and collaborative delivery models where water utilities, particularly those outside major metropolitan centres, develop partnering arrangement with service providers to deliver smart water solutions more seamlessly. An example of this is the Remote-Monitoring-as-a-Service offering from Trimble Water, which eliminates the need for upfront equipment purchase and ensures ongoing data reliability under a service agreement.
This is a global problem and not isolated to Australia and New Zealand. When speaking about ageing water infrastructure, it is important to remember that ~70% of a city’s water assets are buried pipelines.
In New Zealand, several water and wastewater ‘events’ in recent years (e.g.: Wellington’s burst water and wastewater pipelines; Auckland’s regular beach closures due to sewer overflows; Havelock North’s 2016 campylobacter crisis) have seen increased scrutiny of the country’s ageing water infrastructure problem. A recent report noted it would cost up to NZD $50 billion over the next three decades to get the water infrastructure up to standard (that is $10,000 for every person). The New Zealand water sector is also undergoing significant reform with the establishment of a water regulator, Taumata Arowai. A Cabinet paper released in December 2020 details the reforms and is an interesting read if you have a spare hour or so (PDF can be found here).
Australia faces similar challenges with its ageing water assets. A very deliberate, but important, focus on customer satisfaction and experience has led to heightened scrutiny when things go wrong. Burst water mains cause significant disruption to our communities and the ability to reduce these, and/or be more proactive in preventing them, has a significant flow-on impact to our communities. (All cities face broken water mains, here are some recent ones from Tasmania, Townsville, and Gold Coast).
In 2021 we expect to see a continued trend towards undertaking condition assessments of these critical water mains and sewer rising main assets to optimise renewal decision making and prevent disruptive asset failure. One solution that will assist is KenWave Pipeline Condition Assessment technology, which is non-disruptive and non-invasive and allows for a range of materials and diameters to be assessed so a better understanding is obtained to avoid disruptive pipeline breaks.
We help water utilities in Australia and New Zealand with their smart water network, water loss management and pipeline condition assessment projects throughout Australia and New Zealand.
More information at: www.aquaanalytics.com.au, [email protected], (AU) 1800 264 262, (NZ) 0800 345 697.
-Originally published on 5 January 2021
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