WATER PAGES
investigate further so that leaks can be targeted before surfacing, reducing potential damage to nearby infrastructure and the environment.
This is particularly useful in rural areas as it is traditionallymuch harder andmore time- consuming detecting leaks in remote locations. In addition, the approach is non-invasive, can be frequently updated and is highly scalable.
“Fixing leaks is not just about stoppingwater- loss oncewe are already aware there is an issue, it is also vital to pre-empt problems and prevent further collateral damage to the infrastructure and environment,” said Uri Gutermann, chief executive of Gutermann. “There are solutions available to alleviate the pressure onwater supplies and by harnessing technology and data tomake intelligent, long- termdecisions, utilities are better placed to tackle this growing problem.”
Cutting costs andwater loss
to invest the time and equipment needed to pinpoint leaks, helping raise their efficiency andmeet key performance indicators (KPIs).
Through randomsampling, a total of 30 locationswere identified for site investigation and verification in this project. Thiswas followed by a leak validation exercise tomark the location and confirmthe presence of a leak using Gutermann’s AQUASCAN TM2 trunk main leak correlator. This correlator is specialised in analysing the leak noise on large- diameter pipes and over distances of up to and sometimes evenmore than 1kmdistance. When the pipe distance and properties (material and diameter) are known, the correlator is able to pinpoint the leak extremely accurately.
The leak detection teamswere able to locate leaks at all 30 locations, exhibiting 100% accuracy for the SAR technology and evidencing a highly effective job carried out by
the teams in the field.
Wake-up call The need to protectwater supplies by finding and fixing leaks as quickly and robustly as possible has never beenmore urgent, and not just in Africa. According to theWorld Resources Institute, demand forwater has increased by 600%worldwide over the past 100 years and water utilities face increasing challenges to due to aging infrastructure and vast networks spanning both urban and rural environments.
Utilis’ remote-sensing technology uses a sensor mounted on a satellite orbiting at 637km above earth,whichmeans it can capture an entire network in one shot. It has the potential to capture thousands of leaks using a patented algorithmthat identifies the unique signature of drinkingwater escaping into the ground.
The expansive satellite-analytics helps companies strategically identify hot spots to
Satellite leak detection offers utilitiesmuch lower operating costs,with no preparations or upfront investments required. Leaks can be located faster, resources can bemanagedmore efficiently, and background losses reduced, all resulting in decreasedwater losses.
Since developing the technology in 2016, Utilis hasworked on over 250 projectsworldwide in countries including the US, UK, Italy, Chile, China and Africa, leading tomore than 30,000 leaks verified and saving customers around 19,000million litres (5,000million gallons) a year.
Most countries are facing unprecedented pressure onwater resources andwith global population growth, estimates showwith current practices theworldwill face a 40% shortfall between forecast demand and available supply ofwater by as early as 2030.
To strengthenwater security against this backdrop of increasing demand andwater scarcity, the sector needs to invest in institutional strengthening, information management, and infrastructure development.
In the coming years there is going to be a much higher demand for technology and data to solve these pressing issues. Theworld is digitising, and thewater industrymust continue to adapt quickly and use these advances in technology to their benefit.
Themessage forwater companies trying to tackle leakage iswhile the current solutions that existmay not be enough in isolation, when used in combination, companies can tackle leakage in amore efficient, cost effective and environmentally sustainablemanner.
44 | June 2021 |
www.draintraderltd.com
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