In the first in a series of Expert Focus articles on technology-led solutions which can drive down leakage, Kevin Brook, Sales Director at Primayer examines the advantages of fixed networks - the results, the economics and the technology - compared with traditional approaches.

With leakage set to be one of the defining parameters of Ofwat’s upcoming Price Review in 2019, the water companies will no doubt be examining their water networks to maximise operational efficiency and deliver on Ofwat’s demanding target of cutting leakage by 15%.

Ofwat, the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales also now take the view that the traditional approach of Sustainable Economic Level of Leakage (SELL) is no longer driving more efficient leakage reduction.

The water sector regulator is clearly expecting the water companies to look at technology as a key route to achieving this, saying:

“We … consider that there is significant potential to innovate in leakage reduction. Innovation could make it easier and faster to identify and fix leakages, including, for example, through acoustic or vibration detection sensors to identify and locate leaks.”

KEVIN BROOK:  In the face of escalating costs and increasingly scarce water resources, leakage is now a key issue for water utilities worldwide and high up the operational business agenda.

The water companies are now actively seeking to explore new and innovative approaches to addressing the challenges - including the significant advantages fixed network monitoring technologies can offer.

In my view the results and economic benefits fixed network solutions offer compared to traditional technologies are now so compelling this is likely to be the direction of travel many of the water companies will pursue in AMP7.

Innovative technology driven by state-of-the-art monitoring and sensor devices is offering them a real opportunity to get to grips with a major problem.

How does permanent leakage detection compare to other methods?

Primayer’s work in this field has provided some interesting comparisons of how fixed network loggers perform both in operational and cost terms.

Just to take one example, a recent project in a District Metering Area serving 5300 properties which covered 45km mains, 90% of which were cast iron, incorporated 252 fixed network loggers with an entry level of 60m³/hour. Prior to that two dedicated leak detection operatives – around 900 hours of leak detection per year were working on the network to identify leaks.

The fixed network solution saw alarms reduced down from a peak of almost 60 a week to 8 per week and intervention hours cut by 70%.

It’s predicted that up to 20% of DMAs would suit this technology approach –it’s not hard to see why utilities are interested in a solution that delivers significant operational and financial benefits.

Another project involved a 52.82km mains predominantly composed of cast iron in a highly urban DMA serving 7200-plus properties. All roads were traffic sensitive and involved a stringent permit-controlled area and the DMA was ideally suited for noise logging as a primary detection method.

Looking at three potential solutions – the traditional “lift and shift” approach, permanent/patrolled and permanent deployment in terms of total costs and benefits clearly demonstrated the significant financial and operational benefits offered by the use of a fixed network of permanent deployment.

Among the key benefits of a permanent monitoring network:

• Significant reduction in manpower required to perform leakage surveys
• Daily logger time synchronisation by new technology delivers highly accurate correlation time and precise leak location.
• Daily data transmission also provides reduced leak run time and can separate leakage from customer use
• Accumulated historical leak and noise data available over time creates a database for use as an asset management tool

At Chartres in France Enigma 3m units were permanently installed last July as limited network access was available in the old medieval, pedestrian city. Further units were deployed in November in the suburb of Leves which will be moved every 1-2 months to achieve forecast.

Commenting on the solution, Lionel TURPIN, Chief Operating Officer Managing Director Operations at the Aqualter Group in Chartres said:

“The performance of the agglomeration urban area is currently 85% - this is key technology for our target of 90% over 10 years.”

A new development is a hydrophone version which is optimised for leak location over longer distances, large diameter pipes and importantly, on plastic pipes. 

Primayer has conducted extensive trials at sites in Anglian Water on a range of plastic pipes.

At one site following the use of a hydrophone logger on a section of MDPE pipe, correlation confidence improved from 65% to 73% over 4 days and a leak was located on a service pipe. At another location a leak was detected on a section of PVC supply pipe.

The technology also has significant operational advantages providing the leak position, and no costly above-ground infrastructure is required. The water company also has the flexibility of permanent installation or mobile use as loggers can be easily moved.

Water companies will look to technology companies like Primayer to offer solutions for their network management needs. Innovative product development will ensure that all aspects of current water management strategies are catered for. Looking to the future we see proactive, anticipatory activity which will head off leaks before they occur. At Primayer we’re already working on integrated solutions to keep water companies that one, hugely invaluable, step ahead.

Visit www.primayer.com for more information