Queensland Archives - Aqua Analytics

Challenge

An engineering consultant, engaged by a water utility to investigate an asbestos cement (AC) water main break, required accurate and timely data on the pipe’s remaining wall thickness.

This information was crucial for determining the root cause of the failure and providing recommendations for future prevention. Traditional methods of assessing pipe wall thickness can be time-consuming and destructive, potentially compromising the integrity of the failed pipe section.

Solution

The consultant engaged Aqua Analytics to utilise the innovative PipeScanner technology for non-destructive assessment of the exhumed pipeline.

PipeScanner employs ultrasonic pulses to measure the remaining wall thickness of pipes, providing accurate and quantifiable data without damaging the pipe further.

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.

Methodology

Site Mobilisation: The team quickly mobilised to the site where the failed pipe section had been exhumed and set up in a contractors yard for easy access.
PipeScanner Deployment: The PipeScanner device was carefully positioned on the pipe section, ensuring proper contact and alignment for accurate measurements. The PipeScanner device provides visual guides in the form of green and red LED lights, allowing the Field Technician to understand the data quality throughout the inspection.
Data Acquisition: Four individual scans were conducted at different locations along the pipe wall, capturing detailed thickness measurements but longitudinally and circumferentially.
Data Analysis and Reporting: The collected data was analysed, and a comprehensive report was generated, providing the engineering consultant with precise measurements of the remaining wall thickness at each scan location. The report formats are both in PDF and CSV allowing the consultant to view clear and easily interpretable visualisations of the wall thickness, but also receive raw data for incorporation into other systems.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ rapid response and utilisation of PipeScanner technology provided the engineering consultant with critical data for their water main failure investigation.

The accurate and timely assessment of the pipe’s remaining wall thickness enabled the consultant to determine the cause of the failure and offer informed recommendations for preventing future incidents. This case study highlights the value of innovative technologies like PipeScanner in supporting efficient and effective pipeline failure forensics irrespective of the pipeline material.

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

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:

Zero Pressure Test Design: Aqua Analytics developed a detailed test plan, strategically selecting locations for pressure monitoring and identifying potential areas for cross-connections or valve leakage.
Nighttime Operations and Monitoring: Aqua Analytics conducted the ZPTs during nighttime hours to minimise customer disruption. Ovarro XiLog pressure monitoring IoT devices were installed at key points within the network, providing real-time data on pressure fluctuations and enabling the team to monitor network performance during the tests. The XiLog devices transmitted data at one-minute intervals via 4G, allowing for continuous monitoring and analysis by the project team. Access to the data was also provided to the client via a secure cloud server.
Boundary Valve Assessment: The tests focused on confirming the full closure of boundary valves, a critical factor in ensuring DMA isolation. Any valves found to be leaking or partially closed were addressed to maintain hydraulic independence.
Data Analysis and Reporting: Aqua Analytics analysed the collected data to assess the integrity of each DMA's hydraulic isolation. A detailed report was provided to the client, including recommendations for remedial actions, such as valve repairs or replacements.

Results

Confirmed DMA Isolation: The zero pressure tests successfully confirmed the hydraulic isolation of most of the tested DMAs, validating their effectiveness for water loss management purposes.
Identification of Undiscovered Valves: The project uncovered additional valves that were not fully isolated, allowing the client to address these issues and further improve DMA integrity. The client had a strong identification system for boundary valves and undertook these works as a priority.
Enhanced Network Understanding: The real-time pressure monitoring data provided valuable insights into the network's behaviour during the ZPTs. This ensured that the field team, at various locations at night, could all see the same data in real time.

Client Benefits

Improved DMA Performance: By verifying the hydraulic isolation of DMAs and addressing any identified issues, the client could optimise their water loss management strategies and have improved confidence in the data coming into their central event management system.
Reduced Non-Revenue Water: The project contributed to a reduction in non-revenue water, leading to cost savings and improved resource management.
Increased Operational Efficiency:The accurate assessment of DMAs allowed the client to focus their leak detection and repair efforts more effectively, maximising efficiency.
Enhanced Network Resilience: By addressing valve issues and improving DMA isolation, the client increased the resilience of their network to leaks and other disruptions.

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

Using TaKaDu’s Central Event Management (CEM) software, the water retailer effectively monitored their District Metered Areas (DMAs) for water loss. However, the challenge lay in swiftly addressing the identified leaks to minimise non-revenue water (NRW) and maintain optimal network efficiency. They required a partner capable of rapid response and expert leak detection services.

Solution

Aqua Analytics, a trusted panel provider for the water retailer, was engaged to provide reactive leak detection and repair services. Leveraging their expertise and advanced technology, Aqua Analytics implemented the following solution:

Rapid Mobilisation: Upon receiving alerts from the TaKaDu CEM system, Aqua Analytics swiftly mobilised experienced field technicians to the affected DMAs. This rapid response ensured minimal water loss and reduced the network's impact.
Advanced Leak Detection Technology: Aqua Analytics' technicians deployed various acoustic leak detection equipment, including ground microphones, correlators, and loggers, to pinpoint leak locations accurately.
Real-Time Field Reporting: Leveraging their understanding of water networks, the technicians identified the network defects causing the leaks and provided real-time field reports to the water retailer. This enabled quick decision-making and prioritisation of repairs.
Targeted Repairs: The water retailer's maintenance teams, guided by Aqua Analytics' detailed reports, promptly addressed the identified leaks, restoring normal Minimum Night Flow (MNF) levels and reducing water loss.

Results

Rapid Response to Leak Alerts: Aqua Analytics' ability to quickly mobilise and deploy leak detection teams ensured a swift response to TaKaDu CEM alerts, minimising the duration and impact of leaks.
Accurate Leak Localisation: Advanced acoustic technology enabled precise pinpointing of leaks, reducing excavation time and costs.
Significant NRW Reduction: The combined efforts of Aqua Analytics and the water retailer resulted in a substantial reduction in non-revenue water, contributing to water conservation and cost savings.
Improved Network Efficiency: The timely repair of leaks helped maintain optimal network pressure and flow, improving overall system efficiency.

Client Benefits

Enhanced Leak Detection Capabilities: The partnership with Aqua Analytics augmented the water retailer's leak detection capabilities, providing a rapid and effective response to TaKaDu CEM alerts.
Reduced Operational Costs: Aqua Analytics helped the water retailer reduce operational costs associated with water production and distribution by minimising water loss and improving network efficiency.
Environmental Stewardship: The reduction in NRW contributed to the water retailer's commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible resource management.
Improved Customer Satisfaction: The project indirectly enhanced customer satisfaction by ensuring a reliable water supply and minimising disruptions.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ partnership with the Southeast Queensland water retailer showcases the effectiveness of combining advanced technology with expert field services. By leveraging TaKaDu’s CEM system and Aqua Analytics’ rapid response capabilities, the water retailer achieved significant reductions in water loss, improved network efficiency, and demonstrated a commitment to sustainable water management. This collaboration is a model for other water utilities seeking to optimise their leak detection and repair processes for a more resilient and efficient water network.

Challenge

The transport hub, responsible for the movement of 28 million tonnes of cargo annually, identified a critical vulnerability within its water infrastructure. A single trunk water main served a key operational area, posing a significant risk to ongoing operations and the broader economy. To mitigate this risk, the client sought a comprehensive assessment of the water main’s condition to inform strategic asset management decisions.

Solution

The transport hub engaged Aqua Analytics to conduct a non-invasive condition assessment of a critical asbestos cement (AC) water main. The evaluation utilised KenWave Dynamic Response Imaging (DRI) technology, a cutting-edge vibroacoustic method that provides detailed insights into pipeline integrity without requiring excavation or disruption to operations.

Aqua Analytics’ approach included:

Nighttime Operations: The assessment was conducted during nighttime hours, adhering to strict safety protocols to avoid disrupting the transport hub's critical operations and minimising environmental noise.
DRI Technology: DRI technology was employed to gather precise data on the water main's wall thickness, structural integrity, and potential points of concern.
Expert Analysis: Aqua Analytics engaged a specialist third-party condition assessment engineer to analyse the DRI data and conduct a remaining useful life (RUL) analysis using advanced algorithms.
Strategic Planning: The RUL analysis, combined with the detailed condition assessment, provided the client with crucial information to inform long-term asset management strategies, ensuring the ongoing reliability of the water main.

Results

Comprehensive Condition Assessment: The DRI technology revealed variations in wall thickness along the pipeline, pinpointing areas of reduced structural integrity.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction: The analysis projected the water main's remaining useful life until 2066, assuming continued operation at the current pressure levels and accounting for potential surges.
Strategic Decision-Making: Armed with accurate data and expert analysis, the transport hub made informed decisions regarding maintenance, repair, or potential replacement of the water main, mitigating risks and ensuring long-term operational reliability.

Client Benefits

Risk Mitigation: The project significantly reduced the risk of unexpected water main failures, safeguarding the transport hub's operations and minimising potential economic disruptions.
Proactive Asset Management: The detailed condition assessment and RUL prediction enabled the client to develop a proactive maintenance and replacement strategy for the critical water main.
Minimised Disruption: Aqua Analytics conducted the assessment at night to ensure minimal disruption to the transport hub's daily operations.
Cost-Effective Solution: DRI technology offers a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to traditional assessment methods, saving the client time and resources.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ expertise in pipeline condition assessment and the advanced DRI technology played a crucial role in safeguarding the critical water infrastructure of a major Queensland transport hub. By providing accurate data and expert analysis, Aqua Analytics empowered the client to make informed decisions, mitigating risk and ensuring the continued smooth operation of their vital transportation network.

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.

Challenge

Due to an unidentified water leak, the precinct’s body corporate faced alarmingly high water bills, reaching a staggering $10,000 per day. The extensive private water network, consisting of pipes, hydrants, meters, and submeters, made locating the leak source a complex and urgent.

Solution

Aqua Analytics was engaged to investigate the source of the massive water loss. Their solution involved a combination of technical expertise and smart technology:

Smart Metering Loggers: Aqua Analytics strategically installed smart metering loggers, including Captis Lite devices, onto the main water meters throughout the precinct. These loggers provided real-time data on water consumption patterns, enabling Aqua Analytics to pinpoint areas of excessive water usage.
Data Analysis and Anomaly Detection: The smart loggers transmitted consumption data to Aqua Analytics' cloud-based platform, which was analysed for anomalies. A significant spike in water usage was detected at one specific meter, indicating a potential leak in that network section.
Skilled Field Investigation: A team of Aqua Analytics' experienced technicians was dispatched to the site to investigate the identified meter and its surrounding infrastructure further. Utilising their expertise and specialised equipment, they thoroughly inspected the area.
Leak Identification and Repair: The investigation revealed a DN100 pipe that had been left open-ended, discharging thousands of kilolitres of water directly into a nearby waterway. The body corporate was immediately notified, and prompt repairs were undertaken to seal the pipe.

Results

Dramatic Reduction in Water Usage: Following the repair, the precinct's water consumption plummeted from approximately 2,239 kL per day to 85 kL per day, saving a substantial amount of water and money.
Immediate Cost Savings: Eliminating the $10,000 per day leak resulted in significant cost savings for the body corporate, directly impacting its bottom line.
Improved Resource Efficiency: The precinct substantially reduced its water footprint by addressing the leak, contributing to a more sustainable operation.
Enhanced Asset Management: The project highlighted the importance of proactive leak detection and efficient water management for commercial properties with extensive private water networks.

Client Benefits

Cost Recovery: The rapid identification and repair of the leak allowed the body corporate to recoup the significant financial losses incurred due to the water waste. Sustainable Practices: By addressing the leak, the precinct significantly reduced its environmental impact and demonstrated a responsible water resource management commitment.
Improved Reputation: The proactive approach to water conservation enhanced the precinct's reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ expertise in leak detection and the strategic deployment of smart metering technology enabled a significant water leak to be identified and resolved quickly for a Queensland commercial precinct. This case study underscores the importance of proactive water management and the financial and environmental benefits of effective leak detection and repair. Since this identification, this client has regularly engaged Aqua Analytics to undertake preventative investigations of the network to ensure that small issues are identified and rectified before they become major and expensive problems.