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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.”
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.
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.
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:
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.”
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.
