$25k to $100k Archives - Aqua Analytics

Project Overview

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a full condition assessment and leak-detection inspection of a critical trunk main in Sydney following a recorded pipe failure in May 2025.

The main, constructed from ageing cast iron, runs beneath an active railway corridor, making it one of the most difficult water assets in the network to inspect using conventional methods.

Using the AquaSnake in-pipe inspection platform which has a 1,000 meter tether, Aqua Analytics delivered a complete acoustic and CCTV condition assessment of the full pipe length under live operating pressure, with no service shutdown, no excavation, and no disruption to rail operations (or requirements to enter the rail corridor).

Inspecting a High-Risk, Inaccessible Trunk Main

This project presented a combination of challenges that are common across ageing water infrastructure networks, but rarely occur together at this scale:

Criticality of supply:

The trunk main forms part of a critical water distribution network. Any inspection methodology requiring dewatering or service interruption would impact supply to a significant number of customers and was not operationally acceptable.
Location beneath an active railway line:

The pipe's alignment beneath an active rail corridor made conventional access — whether through excavation, entry pits, or bypass infrastructure — either impractical or cost-prohibitive. Sections of the main had never been directly inspected.
Ageing cast iron pipe:

Cast iron mains of this age are known to be susceptible to graphitisation, corrosion pitting, and progressive wall loss. Without an accurate internal condition assessment, the asset owner had no reliable basis for prioritising maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement investment.
Recent failure history:

A pipe failure event recorded in May 2025 elevated the urgency of the inspection and increased the risk profile of the asset. A reactive maintenance approach was no longer sufficient — the client needed comprehensive, evidenced condition data to inform forward planning.

The Solution — AquaSnake Live Insertion Inspection Platform

Aqua Analytics deployed the AquaSnake platform, a specialist in-pipe inspection tool designed for live, pressurised water mains.

AquaSnake is inserted through a standard access point and travels through the main under operating conditions, eliminating the need for dewatering or service interruption.

For this project, the AquaSnake platform was configured to deliver two simultaneous inspection methods across the full length of the trunk main:

Acoustic Leak Detection Inspection

The acoustic inspection module assessed the structural integrity of the cast iron pipe wall along the entire run. Acoustic-based inspection is particularly effective on metallic pipes, detecting areas of wall loss, corrosion, and internal deterioration that may not be visible to a camera. The data collected provides a quantitative condition profile that can be directly used for risk modelling and remaining service life assessment.

Live CCTV Water Main Inspection

Simultaneously, a high-definition CCTV survey captured a full visual record of the pipe’s internal condition including joint condition, lining integrity, corrosion patterns, encrustation, and any evidence of structural distress. The CCTV footage provides a permanent, auditable record of asset condition at the time of inspection.

Combined Dataset — Full-Length Coverage

By delivering both acoustic and CCTV inspection in a single deployment, Aqua Analytics provided the asset owner with a comprehensive, multi-method condition dataset covering the full pipe length, including the previously un-inspected sections beneath the railway corridor. No second mobilisation was required.

Why AquaSnake for Trunk Main Inspection?

AquaSnake is purpose-built for the inspection challenges that conventional methods cannot solve when it comes to larger diameter trunk water mains. It is the right tool when:

The main cannot be taken out of service
Access is restricted by railway lines, roads, buildings, or depth
The pipe is cast iron, asbestos cement, or another legacy material at elevated risk of failure
A full-length inspection is required, not just a spot check
Both structural condition and visual data are needed to meet asset management obligations
When the asset has limited access points for alternative surface-based acoustic technologies such as accelerometers or hydrophones

For water utilities and infrastructure owners managing ageing networks, live in-pipe inspection removes the single biggest barrier to condition knowledge: the cost and operational complexity of shutting down.

Work With Australia's Trunk Main Inspection Specialists

Aqua Analytics delivers trunk main inspection services across Sydney and nationally.

Our teams combine deep technical expertise with a practical, no-disruption approach. We are trusted by water utilities and asset owners to inspect assets that others can’t reach.

Get in touch to discuss your pipeline inspection and assessment requirements.

Challenge

A metropolitan council in New Zealand had identified two water loss zones within its distribution network as having persistently high Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) values — a key international benchmark used to assess the physical condition of pipe networks and prioritise capital investment.

One zone served a dense urban commercial core anchored by a major hospital, civic recreation facilities, and an active hospitality sector. The other was a heavily industrialised logistics and manufacturing hub where many facilities operated around the clock.

Despite their high ILI scores suggesting significant physical water loss, the council had not been able to reconcile these figures with observable network conditions. The concern was that inflated ILI values could be misdirecting millions of dollars in planned infrastructure renewal towards zones where the pipes were actually in better condition than the data suggested.

Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a targeted diagnostic water loss investigation to determine whether these zones were genuinely losing large volumes of water through pipe deterioration, or whether the reported leakage was a mathematical artefact of flawed assumptions in the underlying Minimum Night Flow (MNF) methodology.

The Diagnostic Approach to Water Loss

The project was structured across three phases, each building on the findings of the last

Phase 1 — Diagnostic Review:

The initial review examined the data inputs and assumptions underpinning the existing MNF calculations. Three critical deficiencies were identified. First, historical assessments had applied a generic residential nighttime usage allowance — typically 2 litres per property per hour — uniformly across all properties, including heavy manufacturing plants and 24/7 medical facilities. This drastically understated how much water was being legitimately consumed at night, causing the remainder to be incorrectly classified as leakage. Second, the zone inlet flow data and customer meter readings used in the calculations had been captured at different times — in some cases months apart — creating a fundamental temporal mismatch that invalidated the water balance equation. Third, pressure-leakage adjustments had relied on inlet pressure readings alone, without accounting for the actual hydraulic conditions across each zone's distribution network.
Phase 2 — Field Data Acquisition:

With the diagnostic gaps mapped, a field team was deployed to collect the empirical data needed to replace assumptions with measurements. This involved two parallel workstreams. An active leak detection survey was completed across both zones, identifying 28 physical leaks — 24 in the urban zone and 4 in the industrial zone — with a combined estimated flow of approximately 185 litres per minute. Notable findings included a customer-side leak masked by a seized meter mechanism, a major main leak, and a significant valve leak at a key intersection. A "straight-pipe" connection was also discovered where a meter was missing entirely, meaning consumption at that property was completely unrecorded. Simultaneously, a team manually logged 24-hour consumption profiles for high-volume commercial customers. Any meter with average daily consumption exceeding 5 kilolitres was targeted. Across both zones, over 50 commercial meters were read at four precise intervals over a 24-hour cycle: early morning on Day 1 to establish a baseline, then at approximately 1:30 AM and 3:00 AM on Day 2 to capture the MNF window, and again early morning on Day 2 to close the volume balance. This approach generated interval-specific hourly consumption rates rather than relying on broad daily averages.
Phase 3 — Analysis, Framework Development, and Reporting:

The field data revealed the true scale of legitimate commercial night consumption and its impact on the leakage calculations.

Deriving Empirical Night-Use Factors
By comparing MNF-window consumption against 24-hour averages, the analysis established verified Night-Use Factors for each zone. In the urban zone, the gross night-use ratio across all read meters was initially 83.7%, but this was heavily skewed by a single exceptional outlier — the major hospital, whose meters alone accounted for over 30 kL/hr of night consumption. Once the hospital was mathematically isolated and treated as a discrete deduction (as its 24/7 operational profile would grossly overestimate consumption if applied to standard commercial premises), the normalised Night-Use Factor for the zone's general commercial sector was calculated at 67.6%. The industrial zone returned a factor of 63.8%, with high-volume accounts at logistics and food processing facilities maintaining continuous water draws throughout the night window.

These figures were dramatically higher than the generic residential allowances previously applied, confirming that vast quantities of legitimate customer consumption had been misclassified as network leakage.

The "Negative Leakage" Anomaly
When the newly verified commercial night consumption rate from the urban zone was subtracted from the last available historical MNF inlet snapshot (captured approximately nine months earlier), the result was a mathematically impossible negative value — implying the network was somehow generating water. This "negative leakage" result proved conclusively that historical inlet data could not be retroactively corrected with consumption data from a different time period. Commercial and industrial demand fluctuates dynamically with production schedules and seasonal requirements, meaning a valid water balance can only be achieved when inlet logging and customer consumption logging occur simultaneously.

Pressure Corrections
A desktop GIS review identified that both zones sit on exceptionally flat terrain, allowing a single mid-point node in each zone to serve as a representative Average Zone Pressure (AZP) location. Specific intersection areas were identified for permanent or temporary logger deployment in future tests. Theoretical Leakage Exponents (N1) were assigned based on pipe material composition — 1.0 for the urban zone's mixed metallic/plastic network, and 1.2 for the industrial zone's predominantly plastic pipework — enabling the calculation of a Night-to-Day Factor to convert 2-hour night leakage rates into 24-hour volumes.

Metering Anomalies
The intensive field sweep uncovered several operational issues that would compromise future data capture if left unaddressed: a critical hospital meter that could not be physically located and was absent from GIS records; a meter fitted with a pulse reader that prevented manual reading; a meter that had been replaced and relocated under a new serial number without the asset database being updated; a new smart meter installation at a major recreation centre that did not match existing records; and a meter lacking any physical serial number, creating identification risks for field crews.

Investigation Outcome

Because the historical data lacked synchronised consumption logging, valid average zone pressure measurements, and proven hydraulic isolation, Aqua Analytics concluded that a reliable historical ILI value could not be calculated for either zone.

The existing ILI figures were confirmed to be overinflated, primarily due to systematic underestimation of legitimate commercial night-time consumption, compounded by temporal mismatches and the absence of pressure corrections.

Rather than attempting to retrofit unreliable historical data, the project delivered a refined MNF Calculation Framework, a step-by-step Standard Operating Procedure designed to govern all future testing in these zones and applicable to similar zones across the wider network.

The framework requires synchronised data capture (inlet logging and customer meter reading on the same night), verified hydraulic isolation through zero-pressure testing, empirically derived commercial Night-Use Factors applied to unread accounts, topographically corrected average zone pressures, and ideally, site-specific leakage exponents validated through physical pressure step-tests.

Key Outcomes at a Glance

Metric	Detail
Verified commercial Night-Use Factor (Urban Zone)	67.6% (normalised, excluding hospital outlier)
Verified commercial Night-Use Factor (Industrial Zone)	63.8%
Physical leaks identified	28 across both zones (~185 L/min total)
Metering anomalies flagged for remediation	6 priority assets
Asset defects discovered	1 unmetered “straight-pipe” connection
Historical ILI reliability	Confirmed invalid — new baseline test required

Strategic Value for Water Loss

This project demonstrated that what appeared to be a significant infrastructure problem was, in fact, a data and methodology problem.

By replacing generic assumptions with empirical field measurements, the council gained a clear understanding of where mathematical reporting errors end and genuine physical water loss begins.

The refined framework positions the council to produce high-confidence ILI values that can reliably inform network investment decisions — ensuring capital is directed toward zones with genuine infrastructure need rather than zones with overstated leakage metrics.

Aqua Analytics delivered this project through our New Zealand team, which specialises in water loss diagnostics, minimum night flow analysis, and network performance improvement for councils and water utilities. Contact us here.

Challenge

A significant water utility in Southeast Queensland, facing the dual pressures of high demand and a significant bulk water price of approximately $3,500 per megalitre, was grappling with substantial non-revenue water (NRW). In this context, every litre lost to leakage represented a direct financial burden.

The utility required a partner who could respond promptly to network anomalies, accurately identify leaks, and deliver a clear, quantifiable return on investment for their water loss reduction program. This program was closely aligned with their Central Event Management (CEM) implementation, which allows them to view DMA level data and prioritise field activities.

Solution: A Data-Driven Water Loss Management Strategy

Aqua Analytics was engaged for targeted District Metered Area (DMA) investigations, designed to address the utility’s water loss challenges. Our solution was built on a foundation of rapid response, data-driven insights and high-quality field services, which proved critical for proactive leakage reduction:

Quick Mobilisation: Upon receiving automated alarms from the utility's TaKaDu Central Event Management software, Aqua Analytics' expert field teams were mobilized immediately. This rapid response minimized leak run-times, which is crucial for reducing water loss and financial impact.
GIS-Centric Planning: Field teams were fully prepared for deployment by leveraging the utility’s GIS data. This geospatial intelligence was instrumental in planning efficient inspection routes and ensuring comprehensive network coverage.
Real-Time Spatial Reporting: Using our integrated digital workflow, field technicians captured and reported leak locations with real-time spatial data. This enabled prompt remediation, which directly contributed to reducing leak run times and improving overall network efficiency.
Comprehensive Network Assessment: The investigation went beyond simple leaks, identifying other sources of apparent loss, such as faulty meters that did not register water flow and compromised boundary valves. This holistic approach provided a more complete picture of the network's health and contributed to a higher return on investment.

Measurable Outcomes

The program achieved a 26x return on investment (ROI), with one DMA alone generating a 47x ROI. This quantifiable success demonstrates the profound financial impact of targeted leak detection in DMAs.
Over the course of the project, Aqua Analytics identified 120 network leaks, which contributed to a total water loss of 642.4 ML per year.
This proactive approach led to a total of $1.26 million in network-only water savings, showcasing the direct financial benefit of the program.

Conclusion

This case study illustrates the significant financial and environmental benefits of a strategic, data-driven approach to water loss management in a high-cost environment, such as Southeast Queensland.

By partnering with Aqua Analytics, this major water utility was able to move beyond reactive repairs to a proactive, results-oriented program. Our professional leakage detection services and digital asset management solutions enabled them to achieve a substantial return on every dollar invested, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient water network for the future.

Ready to achieve a similar ROI on your water loss program? Contact our experts today to discuss your network’s unique challenges.

Challenge

The utility partnered with Aqua Analytics to conduct a condition assessment on three critical water mains. The solution leveraged KenWave’s Dynamic Response Imaging (DRI) technology, a non-invasive acoustic method that assesses the remaining wall thickness of a pipeline without disrupting service or requiring excavation.

The project was designed to provide actionable intelligence on the asset’s current state, allowing the utility to make informed decisions about maintenance and renewal.

Methodology

The methodology for this project was centered on KenWave’s Dynamic Response Imaging (DRI) technology, a non-intrusive and non-destructive method for assessing pipeline condition. This process uses nonlinear vibroacoustics to gather data from external access points, such as hydrants, valves and potholes, to determine both the presence of leaks and the residual wall thickness of the pipes.

Detailed Inspection Plan: Aqua Analytics developed a comprehensive inspection plan for the three pipelines, ranging in diameter from 150mm to 600mm.
Non-Intrusive Technology: Using KenWave DRI, a team of technicians introduced specific acoustic signals into the water column and used sensors at existing access points (hydrants, valves and hydrovac potholes) to measure the pipe's dynamic response.
Data Analysis: The collected data was analysed in both the time and frequency domains to generate a residual wall thickness profile for each pipeline at a high resolution. This process provided a precise map of the pipe's structural integrity.
Leak Detection: As part of the same non-intrusive survey, the methodology also included a leak detection component to identify any existing leaks or anomalies.

Project Outcomes

952.3m of AC pipes inspected: A comprehensive condition assessment was completed on three separate pipelines, providing the utility with a detailed report on the state of almost a kilometer of critical assets.
Remaining wall thickness profiles generated: The project successfully produced a detailed profile of the remaining wall thickness for all three pipelines, with results showing sections ranging from 52% to 100% of their original nominal thickness.
No leaks or anomalies found: The DRI inspection confirmed the immediate operational integrity of the three mains, providing the utility with peace of mind.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates the critical value of non-invasive condition assessment for Western Australian water utilities and asset owners managing ageing infrastructure.

By leveraging KenWave’s DRI technology, Aqua Analytics provided the client with a precise, data-driven report on the condition of their asbestos cement (AC) pipes without the costs or disruption of excavation.

This actionable intelligence, gained from a detailed condition assessment, allows the utility to move from reactive maintenance to proactive asset management, prioritising renewal projects based on factual data and ensuring the long-term reliability and sustainability of their water network in Western Australia.

Challenge

A regional council, responsible for the water supply of a regional town in New South Wales, faced a common challenge among regional water utilities: a lack of accurate and up-to-date spatial data for their water network assets.

Relying on outdated maps and records hindered their ability to efficiently plan maintenance, respond to emergencies, and manage their assets effectively.

This deficiency in asset intelligence often leads to costly delays, operational inefficiencies, and a greater risk of damaging buried infrastructure. The council required a solution to accurately map their critical assets to enhance their GIS and support better long-term asset management.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to provide a comprehensive GIS consulting project that required field work and geospatial expertise to build an updated model of the water network.

Our solution was designed to provide a highly accurate, digital map of critical water assets, enabling the council to optimise its operations, improve asset management, and enhance its overall network intelligence. The scope of work involved all field services and GIS development works using our internal geospatial specialists.

High-Accuracy GPS Survey: Aqua Analytics' team utilised a high-accuracy GPS receiver equipped with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology. This advanced equipment allowed for the collection of asset coordinates with centimeter-level accuracy (2.5 cm), far surpassing the precision of traditional GPS methods.
Targeted Asset Collection: Over a period of less than one week, our team meticulously surveyed approximately 50 kilometers of water mains. During this process, 543 GPS coordinates were collected for key assets, including hydrants, valves, and other critical infrastructure.
Asset Discovery: Beyond the primary scope, the survey also identified previously unrecorded asset types, such as air valves and possible ferrule valves, further enriching the council's asset data.
Data Deliverables: The project concluded with the delivery of a comprehensive data package, including both a shapefile and a CSV file of all surveyed points, as well as PDF plans illustrating the new data on a map for easy reference.

Project Outcomes

Enhanced GIS Accuracy: The council received a highly accurate GIS of their water network, with 99% of the surveyed points having a 2.5 cm accuracy. This precision will be invaluable for future excavation and maintenance planning.
Improved Asset Intelligence: The project resulted in a comprehensive and up-to-date digital inventory of key assets, including previously unrecorded infrastructure, providing a single source of truth for the council's asset management.
Operational Efficiency: With accurate GIS data, the council is now better equipped to plan repairs, respond to emergencies, and manage its water network more efficiently.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ GIS enhancement survey delivered foundational data crucial for modern water network management, transforming outdated records into a precise digital map.

By leveraging high-accuracy RTK GPS technology, we provided a regional council with centimeter-level accuracy for over 500 assets, including water mains, hydrants, and valves. This precise GIS data empowers the utility to make data-driven decisions, which is essential for optimising maintenance schedules, reducing operational costs, and improving emergency response.

The project highlights the critical value of a comprehensive GIS for water supply networks and demonstrates how accurate asset mapping can significantly boost the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of regional water utility assets.

As the client prepares to launch future smart water and water loss management projects, this foundational dataset will be instrumental in generating more accurate insights and driving successful deliverables.

Challenge

A water utility in Regional Victoria, experiencing significant population growth within its service area, recognised the need to proactively plan for future water demands and ensure continued reliable service.

Accurate hydraulic modelling is crucial for effective network planning, but the utility’s existing model requires calibration with real-world data to ensure its accuracy and predictive capabilities. Collecting this data across a vast network, especially during the high-demand summer months, presented logistical and resource challenges.

Solution

Following a competitive selection process, Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a comprehensive pressure logging campaign to support the utility’s hydraulic model calibration efforts. Leveraging their extensive experience in water network monitoring and a large fleet of IoT pressure loggers, Aqua Analytics offered a turnkey solution to address the utility’s needs.

Our methodology included:

Strategic Planning: Aqua Analytics collaborated with the utility to develop a strategic plan for deploying 56 pressure loggers across the network. This involved identifying optimal locations to capture representative pressure data and ensure comprehensive coverage.
Logger Deployment: Our skilled technicians deployed a combination of Ovarro XiLog and Gutermann ZoneLog devices, utilising their expertise to ensure secure and reliable installations.
Logger Survey and Elevation Data: To ensure the accuracy of the pressure data and its correlation with the hydraulic model, Aqua Analytics conducted precise surveying and elevation measurements at each logger location. This process utilised high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) equipment, capable of achieving centimeter-level accuracy. The precise elevation data ensured that the pressure readings were correctly referenced within the hydraulic model.
Data Acquisition and Management: The IoT pressure loggers continuously monitored and transmitted pressure data via cellular networks, providing real-time insights into the network's hydraulic behavior. Aqua Analytics managed all aspects of data acquisition, storage, and quality control.
Comprehensive Reporting: Upon completion of the 10-week monitoring period, Aqua Analytics delivered a comprehensive report to the utility, including detailed pressure data, analysis, and visualisations.

Project Outcomes

High-Quality Data: The project provided the utility with reliable, high-resolution pressure data, essential for accurate hydraulic model calibration. By leveraging high-quality IoT devices, that utilise 4G, NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1, we were able to deploy a range of sensor configurations that provided regular data feeds to ensure insights could be obtained promptly throughout the project.
Enhanced Model Accuracy: The calibrated model enabled the utility to make informed decisions regarding future infrastructure upgrades, capacity planning, and operational adjustments to meet the demands of a growing population.
Improved Network Efficiency: The insights gained from the pressure logging campaign helped the utility optimise network performance, reduce water loss, and ensure a sustainable water supply.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ pressure logging expertise and comprehensive service offering were crucial in supporting the utility’s hydraulic model calibration efforts.

By providing reliable data and seamless project management, Aqua Analytics empowered the utility to proactively plan for future water demands, ensuring a resilient and efficient water network for years to come.

Our full-service approach to such projects ensures seamless delivery to clients and their consultants.

If you require pressure logging or assistance with hydraulic model calibration in Australia or New Zealand, contact us today.

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:

AquaSnake™ Deployment: Aqua Analytics' skilled technicians deployed the AquaSnake™ tool into the trunk main, navigating it through over 600 meters of pipeline.
High-Definition CCTV Inspection: The AquaSnake™ captured high-definition CCTV footage of the pipeline's interior, providing a real-time view of its condition.
Leak Detection and Analysis: The AquaSnake™ simultaneously conducted acoustic leak detection, listening for any signs of water loss.
Detailed Reporting: Aqua Analytics compiled a comprehensive report, including the CCTV footage, leak detection analysis, and observations on the pipeline's condition.

Results and Findings

No Leaks Detected: The AquaSnake™ inspection confirmed that the trunk main was free from leaks, providing the council with peace of mind regarding its immediate operational integrity.
Valuable Asset Intelligence: The high-definition CCTV footage revealed valuable information about the pipeline's internal condition, including areas of cement lining delamination, cracking, and other potential concerns.
Proactive Maintenance: The detailed inspection data empowered the council to make informed decisions regarding the pipeline's future maintenance and rehabilitation needs, optimizing its lifespan and preventing costly failures.

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:

Comprehensive Pre-Mobilisation Planning: Aqua Analytics conducted extensive pre-mobilisation planning, including a detailed review of pipeline schematics, historical data, and site-specific conditions. This ensured efficient execution and minimised potential disruptions during the inspection.
Pipeline Preparation: The pipeline was prepared for the inspection, ensuring proper access and flow conditions for the AquaSphere device.
AquaSphere Deployment: The free-swimming AquaSphere was inserted into the pipeline and propelled by the flow of effluent.
Data Acquisition: As the AquaSphere traveled through the pipeline, it continuously collected acoustic data, detecting and locating leaks and gas pockets.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The collected data was analyzed to pinpoint the exact location and size of any leaks or anomalies. A comprehensive report was provided to the client, detailing the findings and recommendations for remediation.

Measureable Outcomes

Comprehensive Leak Detection: The AquaSphere did not locate any leaks, but the methodology and data collective gives confidence to the asset owner that the pipeline is leak-free.
Preventive Maintenance: The AquaSphere located several gas pockets cross the pipeline length, which invervention will assist with mitigating the risk of future failures and environmental damage.
Improved Asset Management: The data collected through the AquaSphere inspection provided valuable insights into the pipeline's condition, supporting informed asset management decisions and extending its operational lifespan.
Enhanced Environmental Stewardship: By proactively identifying and addressing leaks, the client demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship, minimising the risk of future spills and protecting the surrounding ecosystem.

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.

Individualised Assessments: Each technician underwent a competency assessment, receiving personalized feedback and targeted development plans.
Identifying Future Leakage Leaders: High-performing technicians were recognised, paving the way for potential leadership roles within the utility.
Technology Evaluation & Optimisation: The team evaluated existing leak detection technologies, offering tailored recommendations for improved utilisation in the Malaysian context.
Executive-Level Strategy: Aqua Analytics presented a comprehensive report to the utility's leadership, outlining a strategic roadmap for strengthening their large-scale NRW reduction program.
On-Site Coaching & Mentorship: Hands-on guidance and practical demonstrations were provided, empowering technicians with actionable techniques to minimise water loss.
Operational Restructuring: Aqua Analytics recommended improved workflows and organisational structures to bolster the efficiency of the leakage reduction team.

Measureable Outcomes

Enhanced Technician Skills: The training led to a marked improvement in the technicians' knowledge and competency in leak detection and repair.
Optimised Leak Detection Practices: The water utility is now equipped to achieve substantial NRW reductions, conserving water and improving operational efficiency.
Empowered Workforce: The program boosted technician confidence and fostered a culture of continuous improvement within the utility.
Strategic Vision: The executive-level recommendations provided a clear path for long-term NRW reduction and sustainable water management.

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.