PRODUCT SHOWCASE
SMART Log Helping Fight Leaks for Yorkshire Water
A
major project to fight leakage by Yorkshire Water is using HWM’s Radio-Tech SMART Log wireless datalogging automatic meter reader (AMR) to significantly reduce the time and cost taken to find and fix leaks in the network. The SMART Logs are being installed by Vernon Morris & Co. Ltd. along with its Incertameter ‘bolt-on’ in- line flow meter, enabling Yorkshire Water to split 250 of its existing DMAs (District Metered Area) in half for more efficient water management – without the need for constructing any new, expensive metered bypasses. The initial phase includes 350 installations, with more planned to follow as the project rolls out across the network.
Dividing a water mains network into DMAs is current water loss prevention best practice. It allows water companies to examine their network in small pieces, narrowing down areas where water is being lost so that leakage teams can then pinpoint the location within that DMA. Obviously, smaller DMAs result in more detailed initial information, and proportionally less time taken to identify the exact position of the leak; in these cases time equals not only money but also water, personnel and the chances of a severe service disruption. SMART Log and Incertameter allow for the easy and very cost-effective creation of more and smaller DMAs, and very rapid collection of data from them. SMART Log’s wireless technology means that data collection teams no longer need access to
the meter itself, but instead can download the data via a secure wireless link from up to 100 meters away – even from a moving vehicle. This drastically reduces the time taken for data gathering, which, in addition to the use of smaller DMAs, results in impressive savings. In a series of blind pilot trials
conducted last year to compare the before and after effects of the project, results indicated an average saving per leak of roughly 60 hours of detection time and over £1500, even without factoring in the initial saving of £5000+ per sub-metering point created. Leakage inspectors can expect to cover a DMA approximately five times faster than before, and prioritise their leak repair activities much more effectively according to the severity of a leak and its impact on the water supply. Advanced technology not only enables
this level of functional efficiency, but has resulted in an impressive battery life for the systems. Batteries last for 5 years with a 5 minute sample rate, meaning that the time and cost savings first made at the installation continue on for half a decade. The SMART Log technology has already seen extended use in Scotland and England over the last few years, both in conjunction with the Incertameter and as a standalone AMR or commercial datalogger, and has consistently proved itself a valuable tool in improving a project’s operational functionality and underlying efficiency.
Email:
sales@hwm-water.com www.radio-tech.co.uk
OCS Achieves Red Tractor Certification O
CS recently achieved Red Tractor Certification for potatoes across the company’s catering
operations. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to sourcing from Red Tractor potato farmers who are dedicated to meeting high standards of food quality, safety and environmental protection.
The Red Tractor Certification assures OCS clients and consumers that the potatoes they are being served have been produced, transported, processed and packed to a rigid set of assured quality and safety food standards. It also offers a useful endorsement of origin. All Red Tractor businesses are independently
inspected to ensure that standards are upheld throughout the food chain. Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing at
Red Tractor Assurance, said: “We are delighted that OCS has made this first step. It reflects a growing demand within the food industry to source from well- managed, sustainable sources with fully traceable origins. We hope that OCS continues to carry forward this commitment by rolling out their Red Tractor license to cover other assured Red Tractor certified food and drink in the future.”
Mark Nelson, Director of Catering for
OCS, said: “OCS is committed to supporting British food, farmers and
L to R:
Richard Cattell, Head of Marketing Red Tractor Assurance, Chris Ashmore, OCS Regional Accounts Director Catering
growers, and using only Red Tractor labelled produce. It is important to educate our markets about the benefits of using local suppliers where possible. We want our customers to understand our passionate support for this campaign.”
www.ocs.co.uk
PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 31
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32