Challenge
The water utility faced a critical need to mitigate the negative impacts of pressure transients within their extensive network. These sudden pressure surges were causing pipe bursts, leaks, and infrastructure damage, resulting in service disruptions, increased maintenance costs, and potential safety hazards. The utility sought a comprehensive solution that would monitor pressure transients and provide actionable insights to optimise network operations and improve resilience.
Solution
Aqua Analytics was engaged to provide a holistic pressure transient management solution, encompassing monitoring, analysis, and expert advisory services aimed at achieving a calm water network. The approach included:
Aqua Analytics deployed a network of high-resolution pressure sensors at key locations within the water network. These sensors continuously monitored pressure fluctuations, capturing detailed data on transient events at a resolution of 128 times per second.
The collected data was analysed using sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques to identify pressure transients’ patterns, trends, and root causes. This analysis went beyond simple event detection, uncovering underlying operational issues and potential areas for improvement.
Aqua Analytics’ team of experienced engineers and water network specialists provided the utility with actionable recommendations based on the data analysis. This included:
- Operational Optimisation: Operational Optimisation involves identifying inefficient pump operations, recommending valve adjustments, and optimising system controls to minimise transient events.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Pinpointing areas where infrastructure upgrades, such as surge protection or variable speed drives (VSDs), could improve network resilience.
- Customer Engagement: Identify consumers whose water usage patterns contributed to pressure transients and work with them to implement solutions.
Results
- Reduced Pressure Transients: The proactive monitoring and mitigation strategies significantly reduced the frequency and severity of pressure transients across the network.
- Minimised Pipe Bursts and Leaks: By addressing the root causes of transients, the utility experienced a notable decrease in pipe failures, leaks, and associated repair costs.
- Improved Operational Efficiency: Optimised pump operations and system controls resulted in energy savings and increased operational efficiency.
- Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Reduced service disruptions and improved water quality contributed to higher customer satisfaction levels.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: The comprehensive data analysis and expert advisory services empowered the utility to make informed decisions regarding asset management, infrastructure upgrades, and operational practices.
- Lower Level of Water Loss: Reducing transients positively impacted areas with high levels of water loss. Small leaks did not become larger, and the weak regions of the water supply system did not come under regular stress, leading to lower water loss.
Client Benefits
- Increased Network Resilience: The project significantly improved the water network's resilience to pressure transients, minimising the risk of damage and service disruptions.
- Cost Savings: Reduced repair costs, optimised energy consumption, and proactive maintenance contributed to substantial cost savings for the utility. Fewer main breaks meant fewer assets ended on replacement lists due to the client's failure criteria.
- Environmental Benefits: By reducing water loss through leaks and bursts, the project promoted sustainable water management practices and demonstrated the strong link between pressure transients and water loss.
- Proactive Asset Management: The project's data-driven insights enabled the utility to implement a proactive asset management approach, ensuring its water infrastructure's long-term health and performance.
Conclusion
This consulting-led project by Aqua Analytics provided a holistic approach to pressure transient management, combining advanced monitoring technology, data analytics, and expert advisory services. The key outcome was to deliver actionable insights that could lead to a calmer water supply network. This case study highlights the value of a comprehensive solution beyond simply installing smart devices to capture data. Ultimately, providing actionable insights that can assist in optimising network operations, improving resilience, and achieving long-term water sustainability through a calm network is the main goal for network operators and asset managers.
