New South Wales Archives - Page 2 of 2

Challenge

A holiday park operator faced escalating water bills across their extensive network of properties. The unique nature of these sites, often resembling mini-cities with complex infrastructure, made identifying and addressing water loss a significant challenge. The company sought a partner to conduct comprehensive water audits and leak investigations to reduce consumption and costs.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged in a long-term assignment to tackle the water loss issue. Leveraging a multi-disciplinary approach, Aqua Analytics deployed a team of skilled technicians, plumbers, and data analysts to undertake:

Comprehensive Water Audits: Detailed water audits were conducted at each holiday park, encompassing a thorough review of historical water consumption data, analysis of billing information, and site-specific assessments of infrastructure and usage patterns.
Targeted Leak Detection: Aqua Analytics' technicians utilised advanced leak detection technologies, including acoustic listening devices and correlation logging, to pinpoint visible and hidden leaks within the complex network of pipes and fixtures.
Data-Driven Analysis: The collected data was analysed to identify trends, anomalies, and potential areas for improvement in water management practices. This analysis provided actionable insights for the client to implement targeted solutions.
Repairs and Recommendations: Aqua Analytics identified leaks, worked with the client to implement repairs, and provided recommendations for long-term water conservation strategies.

Results

Significant Reduction in Water Consumption: Aqua Analytics' efforts led to a substantial decrease in water consumption across the network of holiday parks, resulting in considerable cost savings for the client.
Identification of Major Leaks: Multiple large, below-ground leaks were discovered, some of which had contributed to significant water loss for extended periods.
Improved Asset Management: The detailed audits and investigations gave the client a better understanding of their water infrastructure, enabling them to prioritise maintenance and upgrades for optimal efficiency.
Sustainable Practices: By reducing water waste, the project contributed to the client's sustainability goals and demonstrated their commitment to responsible resource management.

Client Benefits

Financial Savings: The substantial reduction in water consumption translated into immediate and ongoing cost savings for the client.
Operational Efficiency: Aqua Analytics improved the holiday parks' overall operational efficiency by addressing leaks and optimising water management practices.
Environmental Stewardship: The project's focus on water conservation aligned with the client's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.
Peace of Mind: The client gained peace of mind knowing that their water infrastructure was being proactively managed and maintained by a team of experts.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ comprehensive approach to water audits and leak detection proved invaluable for the holiday park operator. By combining technical expertise, advanced technology, and data-driven analysis, Aqua Analytics delivered significant water savings and improved the overall sustainability of the client’s operations. This project is a model for other businesses with complex water networks seeking to optimise their water management practices and reduce costs.

Challenge

The client recognised the need to enhance the NRW (Non-Revenue Water) management skills and knowledge of personnel within various local water utilities (LWUs). Given the LWUs’ wide range of expertise levels and resource constraints, a comprehensive and adaptable training program was required.

Solution

Aqua Analytics developed and delivered a multi-faceted NRW training program personalised to the diverse needs of the participating LWUs. The program included:

In-Person Training Sessions: Six two-day, in-person training sessions were held in Armidale, Newcastle, and Parkes. These sessions provided a deep dive into NRW principles, active leakage control, pressure management, and metering. A key component of these sessions was a practical field visit to observe real-world applications of the concepts.
Online Training Course: Recognising the geographical constraints of some participants, a four-week online course was offered, providing two hours of instruction per week. This flexible format ensured accessibility for a wider audience.
IWA-Guided Curriculum: The training curriculum was developed in alignment with the International Water Association (IWA) Water Loss Specialist Group's best practices, ensuring a globally recognised standard of expertise.
Site Visits: To reinforce theoretical knowledge, site visits were organised to showcase practical examples of pressure management, smart metering, and acoustic leak detection technologies in action.

Results

Improved Knowledge and Competency: Participants significantly increased their understanding of NRW principles, terminology, and best practices. Post-training assessments revealed a greater awareness of key concepts like active leakage control (ALC) and unavoidable annual real losses (UARL).
Increased Confidence: Attendees reported greater confidence in identifying and addressing NRW issues within their respective LWUs.
Enhanced Collaboration: The training fostered a collaborative environment, allowing participants to share experiences and learn from each other's challenges and successes.
Broad Reach: Approximately 100 attendees from various LWUs completed the training, contributing to a wider dissemination of NRW knowledge and skills across the region.

Positive Outcomes

Standardised Terminology: The training program helped establish consistent terminology and understanding of NRW principles among participants.
Practical Application: The hands-on nature of the in-person sessions, particularly the field visits, proved invaluable in reinforcing theoretical concepts and showcasing real-world applications.
Future-Proofing: The training equipped LWUs with the knowledge and skills to manage NRW proactively, ensuring long-term water conservation and resource efficiency.

Quote from Attendee: “Excellent content, well presented. I learned a lot more than I was expecting. Keen to bring ideas back to Council.”

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ comprehensive NRW capacity-building program successfully addressed the diverse needs of local water utilities, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage water loss and improve operational efficiency effectively. This project exemplifies a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration in the water industry, ultimately leading to more sustainable water management practices.

The Challenge

In the face of drought and increasing water stress, the NSW government recognised the critical need to address leakage and water loss across regional water utilities. The goal was to enhance the utilities’ ability to efficiently identify, target, and repair leaks, ultimately conserving billions of water. The significant challenge required a comprehensive and coordinated effort to tackle water loss in a region facing severe environmental pressures.

Our Solution

To tackle this challenge, the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) partnered with the NSW Water Directorate and local water utilities to launch the Regional Leakage Reduction Program. Aqua Analytics was selected as a key partner due to its expertise in leak detection and water loss management.

The Regional Network Leakage Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program. This initiative has already resulted in more than 15,450 kilometres of water mains being surveyed and over 4,000 leaks being found, saving councils billions of litres of lost water in a year.

The program encompassed three phases over 30 months, focusing on:

Active Leak Detection: Aqua Analytics deployed skilled technicians and advanced acoustic technologies to survey over 10,000 kilometres of water mains across 28 regional councils. This comprehensive survey detected over 4,000 leaks, including both main leaks and leaks on customer properties.
Data-Driven Reporting: Aqua Analytics provided detailed reports with precise leak locations, enabling local water utilities to prioritise and expedite repairs.
Collaboration: Aqua Analytics worked closely with water utility staff, sharing knowledge and best practices to build capacity and improve long-term leak management.

Results

The impact of the Regional Leakage Reduction Program has been substantial:

Over 5.1 Billion Liters of Water Saved Annually: The prompt repair of identified leaks has already resulted in significant water savings, contributing to regional water security and sustainability.
Reduced Customer Costs: Addressing leaks on customer properties has saved water and lowered individual water bills.
Enhanced Network Efficiency: Identifying leaks and other network issues has improved overall network performance and reduced operational costs.

Aqua Analytics' Contribution

Aqua Analytics played a crucial role in the success of this program and was actively involved in all three phases. Our expertise in leak detection, advanced technology, and collaborative approach enabled the identification and repair of numerous leaks in a relatively short timeframe. Since the award in early 2022, Aqua Analytics has undertaken projects in almost 30 councils, surveying 10,000 kilometres of water mains and finding 3,100 leaks. Our commitment to long-term water conservation efforts in NSW is evident through our extensive involvement and significant contributions.

Conclusion

The Regional Leakage Reduction Program is a testament to the effectiveness of a collaborative approach to water management. Through the combined efforts of the NSW government, local water utilities, and expert partners like Aqua Analytics, significant progress has been made in addressing water loss and improving the sustainability of regional water supplies. This program highlights the importance of innovative solutions, data-driven strategies, and teamwork in tackling the pressing issue of water conservation in the face of environmental challenges.