$250k to $1M Archives - Aqua Analytics

Challenge

The client urgently needed to assess and maintain many fire hydrants across its network. These critical assets were required to meet specific operational standards, ensuring their reliability in emergencies. The challenge was quickly and efficiently completing the work while capturing essential asset information in a format compatible with the client’s systems.

Solution

Aqua Analytics developed a comprehensive fire hydrant investigation and maintenance program, leveraging a digital workflow to streamline the process and ensure timely completion. The solution included:

Aqua Analytics assembled a skilled team of technicians and deployed them rapidly to assess and maintain the fire hydrants across the network.

A customised digital spatial workflow was developed to facilitate efficient data collection, asset tracking, and reporting. This included:

Mobile App: Technicians used a mobile app to record hydrant conditions, GPS locations, maintenance activities, photos, and required repairs.
Real-Time Data Sync: The app synchronises data in real-time with a central database, providing the client immediate visibility into progress and findings.
Custom Reporting: The digital workflow generated reports in the client's required format, including details on hydrant locations, maintenance activities, and compliance status, including formats compatible with the client’s EAM tools.
Comprehensive Maintenance: Technicians performed various maintenance tasks, including clearing obstructions, marking hydrants, and installing or replacing identification assets. All work was completed to the required standards, ensuring the hydrants' operational reliability.
Integrated GIS for Fieldwork: Our team uses high-accuracy digital maps based on the water network GIS of the client. This helps in every step of the workflow, from efficient route planning to reporting asset issues observed on the field.

Results

Rapid Completion: The project was completed within a tight timeframe, ensuring the client's fire hydrants met operational requirements promptly.
Data Accuracy: The digital workflow ensured accurate and comprehensive data collection, eliminating manual errors and streamlining reporting.
Improved Asset Management: The client gained valuable insights into the condition of their fire hydrant network, enabling better asset management and maintenance planning in the future.
Enhanced Safety and Compliance: The project significantly improved the safety and compliance of the client's fire hydrant network, reducing the risk of emergency failure.

Client Benefits

Peace of Mind: The client was reassured that their fire hydrants were operational and maintained to the required standards, providing peace of mind in case of fire emergencies.
Efficiency: The digital workflow streamlined the project, reducing manual effort, eliminating errors, and ensuring timely completion within budget.
Data-Driven Decisions: The comprehensive data collected empowered the client to make informed decisions about future asset management and maintenance strategies.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ rapid response and innovative digital workflow enabled a critical fire hydrant investigation and maintenance program to be completed. The project demonstrates Aqua Analytics’ commitment to delivering efficient, reliable, and data-driven solutions that improve essential infrastructure safety and operational effectiveness.

The Challenge

The water utility faced the ongoing challenge of managing pressure transients within its vast water distribution network. These transient events can lead to pipe bursts, leaks, and infrastructure damage, impacting service reliability and operational costs. To proactively address this issue, the utility sought a comprehensive solution providing real-time insights and actionable data.

The Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to design, implement, and manage a pressure transient monitoring project leveraging the Syrinix PIPEMINDER-ONE technology and the RADAR cloud-based data analysis platform. Aqua Analytics’ turnkey approach included:

Strategic Deployment: Aqua Analytics utilised a proprietary deployment simulation tool, incorporating the utility's GIS data, to identify optimal installation locations for maximum coverage and impact. This strategic approach prioritised areas with larger diameter assets, facilities, and historically problematic zones.
Advanced Monitoring Technology: Aqua Analytics deployed Syrinix PIPEMINDER-ONE sensors, capable of capturing high-resolution pressure data and precisely detecting transient events.
Real-Time Data Analysis: The RADAR platform provided real-time access to data, enabling rapid identification, classification, and source location of pressure transients. Machine learning algorithms automatically categorised events like sharp pressure drops, potential pump stops, and negative pressures.
Actionable Insights: Aqua Analytics went beyond raw data analysis, providing the utility with clear, actionable insights to address the root causes of transient events and implement mitigation strategies. This included identifying operational issues, optimising pump schedules, and prioritising maintenance activities.
Continuous Monitoring and Maintenance: Aqua Analytics managed all aspects of the project, including equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and reporting, ensuring continuous data reliability and system performance.

Results

Enhanced Understanding of Network Dynamics: The utility gained a deeper understanding of pressure transients within their network, identifying patterns, trends, and high-risk areas.
Proactive Issue Resolution: Real-time alerts and actionable insights enabled the utility to respond quickly to transient events, preventing potential damage and minimising service disruptions.
Improved Operational Efficiency: By addressing the root causes of transient events, the utility optimised pump operations, reduced energy consumption, and improved overall network efficiency.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Aqua Analytics' comprehensive data collection and analysis informed long-term asset management strategies, ensuring optimal resource allocation and risk mitigation.

Client Benefits

Reduced Risk of Pipe Bursts and Leaks: Proactive monitoring and mitigation strategies significantly reduced the likelihood of infrastructure damage caused by pressure transients.
Improved Service Reliability: By addressing operational issues and promptly responding to transient events, the utility enhanced the reliability and consistency of water service for their customers.
Cost Savings: Reduced water loss, optimised pump operations, and proactive maintenance contributed to significant cost savings for the utility.
Turnkey Solution: Aqua Analytics' comprehensive approach, from design and installation to data analysis and reporting, provided a seamless and efficient solution for the utility.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the value of a holistic, data-driven approach to pressure transient management. By partnering with Aqua Analytics, the New Zealand water utility successfully implemented a proactive monitoring solution that identified and mitigated transient events and provided valuable insights to optimise their overall network operations.

Challenge

The Tasmanian water utility was experiencing significant water loss throughout its network, impacting operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. With an extensive network of water mains to maintain, the utility sought a proactive and data-driven solution to pinpoint and address leaks promptly.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged on an initial three-month contract, later extended to eight months, to conduct a comprehensive leak detection program. This involved:

Extensive Network Survey: Aqua Analytics deployed a dedicated team of leak detection specialists to survey over 1,850 kilometres of water mains across the utility's service area.
Advanced Leak Detection Technology: The team used state-of-the-art acoustic leak detection equipment and techniques to identify leaks, even in challenging environments precisely.
AquaLeak Reporting Platform: Aqua Analytics implemented their innovative AquaLeaks™ portal, providing the utility with real-time access to leak data, analysis, and reporting. This platform included AskAqua, an AI chatbot for instant conversational insights and support. Additionally, Aqua Analytics integrated data into Maximo EAM, giving the client seamless access to defect data.
Prioritised Repairs: The leak locations were pinpointed accurately and promptly communicated to the utility's repair crews, enabling them to prioritise and address the most critical leaks first.

Results

397 Leaks Found: Aqua Analytics successfully identified 397 leaks across the network throughout the eight-month project.
2,483 Liters Per Minute Saved: The combined water loss from the identified leaks amounted to a staggering 2,483 litres per minute. The prompt repair of these leaks resulted in significant water savings and cost reductions for the utility.
Major Leak Discovery: One notable leak, identified within a specific DMA, accounted for 864m³/day of water loss. Its repair alone translated to an estimated annual saving of $365,000 for the utility.

Client Benefits

Substantial Water Savings: The project dramatically reduced non-revenue water (NRW), conserving valuable resources and contributing to the utility's sustainability goals.
Cost Efficiency: The identification and repair of leaks translated into significant cost savings in terms of reduced water production costs and avoided infrastructure damage.
Improved Asset Management: The data collected through AquaLeaks provided valuable insights into the condition of the water network, enabling better asset management and maintenance planning.
Real-Time Decision Support: AquaLeaks's AskAqua chatbot feature offered instant support to utility staff, enabling them to make informed decisions based on real-time data.
Dedicated Team: Aqua Analytics' full-time team in Tasmania demonstrated a strong commitment to the project's success and a deep understanding of the local water network.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ partnership with the Tasmanian water utility exemplifies a successful collaboration in tackling water loss. By combining advanced leak detection technology, innovative reporting platforms, and a dedicated local team, Aqua Analytics delivered significant water savings and improved the utility’s long-term sustainability of its water network.