Challenge

Ensuring the reliable delivery of water to communities is a paramount concern for water utilities worldwide.

In New South Wales, a major water supplier faced a growing challenge in managing a critical trunk water main that had never undergone a detailed internal inspection. This vital asset, responsible for supplying water to thousands of residents across several large towns, lacked any comprehensive assessment of its condition, raising concerns about potential leaks, structural degradation, and the risk of service disruptions.

Traditional pipeline inspection methods often require service shutdowns, causing inconvenience and potential hardship for customers. To avoid these disruptions, the water supplier sought a proactive solution that would provide a detailed assessment of the pipeline’s integrity while maintaining uninterrupted water service.

This client engaged Aqua Analytics to deploy the AquaSnake™ live pipeline inspection technology.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the trunk water main using the AquaSnake™ tethered inspection tool.

This advanced technology allows for detailed visual assessment and leak detection within live pipelines, providing valuable insights into their condition without service interruption.

The methodology of undertaking a live trunk main inspection is as follows:

Results and Findings

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ AquaSnake™ inspection provided this regional council with critical insights into the condition of their vital trunk water main by undertaking real-time pipeline inspection.

By proactively assessing the pipeline’s integrity, the council can now implement targeted maintenance strategies, extend the asset’s lifespan, and ensure a reliable water supply for their community. This case study highlights the importance of utilising advanced technologies like AquaSnake™ for proactive asset management, optimising infrastructure performance, and safeguarding essential services.

Aqua Analytics is a specialist provider of non-revenue water solutions to municipalities, councils and water authorities across Australia. They have various large-diameter leak detection tools to help water utilities and asset owners undertake pipeline inspection and analysis.

Challenge

The owner of a wastewater treatment plant faced a critical challenge with their aging effluent outfall pipeline.

Two previous failures in 2013 had resulted in effluent spills into a nearby bay, raising environmental concerns and highlighting the need for proactive pipeline management.

The pipeline, constructed in the early 1980s and comprised of a mix of DICL, AC, and HDPE pipes, was potentially susceptible to further leaks and failures.

Solution

To assess the pipeline’s condition and identify potential leak points, Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct an inline inspection using the free-swimming AquaSphere technology.

This innovative tool is specifically designed for leak and gas pocket detection in pressurised pipelines. It provides valuable insights into the pipeline’s integrity without requiring disruptive excavations.

The inspection methodology included:

Measureable Outcomes

Conclusion

By utilising AquaSphere technology, Aqua Analytics provided the client with a comprehensive understanding of the condition of their wastewater outfall pipeline.

The proactive leak detection and assessment enabled the client to address potential issues before they escalated, preventing further environmental damage and ensuring the long-term integrity of their critical infrastructure.

This case study demonstrates the value of advanced technologies like AquaSphere in managing ageing pipeline infrastructure.

Water utilities and other organisations can minimise risks, reduce costs, and safeguard the environment by investing in proactive inspections with proven techniques.

Challenge

A district council in the South Island of New Zealand recognised the urgency of addressing water loss within their network, particularly as the summer months approached.

They engaged Aqua Analytics to undertake an intensive active leakage control investigation to ensure a resilient water supply for their community. Our team mobilised within weeks of award and completed the work within a few days.

The project focused on two of the council’s water systems, covering 51 kilometres of water mains. The network presented unique challenges due to a high proportion of non-metallic pipes (uPVC and PE), making leak detection more complex and requiring a skilled team to investigate.

Solution

Aqua Analytics deployed a skilled two-person team equipped with sensitive acoustic equipment to conduct a thorough survey, accessing all available appurtenances and water meters.

Using a GIS-centric approach, Aqua Analytics meticulously mapped and recorded each leak’s location. This spatial data was integrated into the council’s GIS system, enabling swift visualisation and prioritisation of repair works. By accurately pinpointing leak locations, the council could dispatch repair crews efficiently, reducing response times and minimising water wastage.

Measureable Outcomes

The intensive investigation yielded significant results, uncovering a total of 34 leaks, including 30 network leaks and 4 customer-side leaks. 

The combined leakage amounted to a substantial 234 liters per minute, translating to a staggering 123 megaliters of annual water loss. Notably, some leaks on mains and ferrules exceeded 20 liters per minute, highlighting the potential for significant wastage over time.

Over 85% of the detected leaks were not visible above ground, underscoring the importance of proactive leak detection in identifying hidden water loss. As the summer months approached, this intervention was crucial in ensuring the community’s water supply remained resilient during periods of peak demand.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ expertise in leak detection and GIS-centric reporting enabled the district council to proactively address non-revenue water challenges in the South Island of New Zealand. 

By implementing a targeted and efficient investigation, we identified and quantified significant water loss, empowering the council to take swift corrective action and ensure a more sustainable and resilient water supply for their community.

New Zealand councils are now better equipped to address water loss challenges with the shift to a new funding model under the “Local Water Done Well” initiative. This positive development, coupled with the proactive leak detection services provided by Aqua Analytics, paves the way for improved water network efficiency and sustainability across the nation.

Challenge

Non-revenue water (NRW) presents a major hurdle for water utilities in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, often reaching staggering levels of 20-50%. This substantial water loss, mainly attributed to physical leaks, strains resources and hampers efficient water management. A leading Malaysian water utility, committed to addressing this challenge, sought expert guidance to improve its leakage reduction efforts.

With a large distributed base of leakage technicians, they saught to understand any skill gaps, training requirements or technology enhancements that could improve their detection capability.

Solution

Aqua Analytics, a global leader in water loss management, stepped in to provide a tailored solution. Our team of four highly experienced leakage specialists, each with decades of field experience, delivered a week-long, intensive training program. Over 190 leakage technicians participated, gaining invaluable insights and practical skills to enhance daily operations. Furthermore, advisory was provided to the CEO and COO of the utility on improvements that could be made to leakage detection project to drive down NRW.

Measureable Outcomes

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ specialised training program was crucial in empowering the Malaysian water utility to tackle NRW challenges proactively. This successful collaboration highlights the effectiveness of investing in human capital and leveraging expert knowledge to combat water loss in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

By combining technical skills, innovative approaches, and strategic guidance, Aqua Analytics helped the utility optimise its leak detection capabilities and take a major stride towards a more sustainable water future.

Challenge

A remote community in the Northern Territory was grappling with significant water loss within its network, impacting resource availability and operational costs. The complex network, featuring 27 kilometres of distribution mains (predominantly non-metallic) and 480 customer connections, presented unique challenges for leak detection. High minimum night flow (MNF) measurements indicated significant leakage, and a considerable portion was suspected to be caused by customer-side leaks, which are common in remote communities.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to undertake a comprehensive water loss audit and investigation program. Leveraging a tailored approach designed for non-metallic pipe networks, Aqua Analytics aimed to identify and quantify water loss, empowering the community to take targeted action. Our methodology included:

Results

Client Quote: “We entrusted Aqua Analytics with monitoring several water mains during our two-week HDD project. Their daily reports gave the water utility the assurance they needed, confirming our work caused no damage. We will definitely use Aqua Analytics again in the future.”

Client Benefits

Conclusion

This leak detection project in the Northern Territory (NT) showcases how Aqua Analytics effectively addresses substantial water loss, particularly in remote communities. By utilising advanced leak detection techniques and our skilled team, we were able to pinpoint over 100 leaks and a large number of faulty meters, enabling the client to take immediate action.

Addressing these findings will significantly reduce non-revenue water (NRW) and improve the overall water balance in the community. Aqua Analytics recommends ongoing monitoring and a proactive customer leak detection program to maintain these improvements and ensure long-term water sustainability in the NT.

Challenge

The client was tasked with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations in close proximity to critical water mains. The water utility asset owner mandated a proactive monitoring solution to prevent damage and ensure the integrity of their infrastructure throughout the construction process.

Solution

The client partnered with Aqua Analytics to implement a personalised asset monitoring system leveraging the power of Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology for reliable data transmission and communication. The solution included:

Results

Client Quote: “We entrusted Aqua Analytics with monitoring several water mains during our two-week HDD project. Their daily reports gave the water utility the assurance they needed, confirming our work caused no damage. We will definitely use Aqua Analytics again in the future.”

Client Benefits

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ innovative monitoring solution allowed the client to successfully execute their HDD project while upholding the highest standards of environmental responsibility and stakeholder collaboration. This case study exemplifies the power of technology in safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring the smooth completion of complex construction endeavours.

Challenge

The client faced a significant challenge in managing water loss across their vast and remote network of trunk mains. These large-diameter pipelines (>DN300), often located in challenging terrains, posed difficulties in leak detection. Traditional methods were time-consuming, costly, and ineffective. The client needed a reliable, efficient, and non-invasive solution to pinpoint leaks accurately across a 150km stretch of their network.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a comprehensive leak detection program across the reticulation and trunk assets. Aqua used the TM2 Trunk Main Correlator to address the trunk’s main assets to address the trunk main assets. This advanced acoustic technology offered a personalised solution to the client’s specific challenges:

Results

Client Benefits

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ successful deployment of the TM2 Trunk Main Correlator in a remote setting highlights the technology’s effectiveness in addressing the unique challenges of water loss management. The project demonstrates the value of combining cutting-edge technology with experienced personnel to achieve optimal results in reducing non-revenue water and ensuring water infrastructure sustainability. Many of the correlations were over 800 meters in distance, allowing vast network lengths to be inspected cost-effectively by a three-person team. Additionally, all leak reporting was captured spatially with GPS coordinates to assist with easily and accurately identifying defects, which is important in rural environments.

Challenge

The water operator had established District Metered Areas (DMAs) as a crucial component of their water loss management strategy. However, ensuring the effectiveness of these DMAs required verifying their hydraulic isolation from the rest of the network. The operator needed to confirm that boundary valves were fully closed and did not allow water to pass between DMAs, which could compromise their ability to monitor and manage water loss accurately. Additionally, recent water mains augmentation near the boundary had raised concerns about potential cross-connections.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a series of zero-pressure tests (ZPTs) across four adjacent DMAs. This involved a comprehensive approach to validate DMA integrity:

Results

Client Benefits

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ zero pressure testing project played a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness of the water operator’s DMA strategy. By confirming hydraulic isolation and providing actionable insights, the project empowered the client to proactively manage water loss, improve network efficiency, and ensure a reliable water supply. Clients should undertake ZPTs regularly to ensure boundary valves are not compromised by third parties or in the ordinary operation of their business.

Challenge

The council, responsible for providing water services to a population of over 40,000, was committed to reducing non-revenue water (NRW) losses below their current level of 20%. While recent leak detection efforts had been undertaken, the council sought a comprehensive review of their District Metered Areas (DMAs) and leakage reduction strategy to achieve further water savings.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a thorough assessment of the council’s water distribution network and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. The project encompassed:

Deliverables

Results

Key Benefits

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ consultancy services played a pivotal role in helping the regional council optimise its water network management. The comprehensive assessment and strategic recommendations provided a clear path towards significantly reducing water loss, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable water supply for their community.

Challenge

The council, responsible for providing water services to a large population, recognised the need to update its outdated Water Loss Management Plan (WLMP). The existing plan needs strategic direction and actionable recommendations to optimise its water network efficiency and reduce non-revenue water (NRW) volumes.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a thorough review of the council’s outdated water loss management practices and develop a comprehensive tactical plan. The project encompassed:

Deliverables

Results

Client Benefits

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ consulting expertise in water loss management and data analysis was pivotal in assisting the council. By providing a comprehensive tactical plan, Aqua Analytics empowered the council to address their water loss challenges effectively, leading to a more resilient and sustainable water system for their community. The prioritised list of actions and full budgetary scope will allow the council to go directly to the market to procure goods and services to implement their water loss plan in the coming years. This includes smart meters, smart devices, trunk main leak detection, and active leak detection services.

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