Water / Wastewater 15


Figure 4: Dashboard to display pressure monitoring data (© Oxford Flow, 2021)


Other indirect methods can also infer where leaks have occurred including 500 controllers for intelligent pressure management, covering more than 13% of the network. Also enhanced pressure monitoring can infer where leaks are happening. High frequency loggers are installed on critical mains and DMAs, and 1 hertz loggers elsewhere on the network.


New technologies for indirectly monitoring leakage include an integrated control system for water management incorporating a piston operated valve with automated control, pressure sensing, fl ow and water quality (Figure 3). The control unit collects signals and presents the data in a Modbus table, interacts with a high-resolution pilot actuator and uses a sophisticated algorithm to accurately control downstream pressure or fl ow rate. A setpoint can be controlled to plus or minus 0.05 bar with drift correction. Data is displayed in a dashboard where alarms can be set (Figure 4). The system can be integrated with SCADA networks. “By optimising pressure reduction, future leaks can be mitigated. Critical network performance data from the Intelligent Valve integrated with monitoring data from fl ow meters adds


Figure 5: Battery powered fl ow and temperature clip on monitoring system (© Infersens, 2021)


to understanding of fl ow in water networks and enables the identifi cation of sections of pipe network with signifi cant leaks,” adds Tristram Broadbent, Principal Engineer, Oxford Flow.


An innovative, custom designed, lightweight water turbine made using 3D printing and laser cutting, can be added to generate power for the system, either in line or on a bypass line and avoid the need for mains power. This turbine could be used as a power source for other monitoring systems.


A new real time, fully automated, fl ow and temperature monitoring system has been developed which is AI enabled, low cost and non-intrusive – it simply clips onto the outside of pipes (Figure 5). The fl ow monitoring data is viewed remotely on a dashboard or Building Management System (BMS) (Figure 6), and automated alerts can be set up to provide early warning of fl ow rates that indicate the presence of a leak. The prototype product, developed with Innovate UK funding, was trialled by customers in 2020 and the beta product was piloted in late 2021. The UK product launch is due in 2022.


Figure 6: Dashboard for remote monitoring of fl ow (© Infersens, 2021)


In the UK there is a novel opportunity for distributed real time monitoring in drinking water mains through the Fibre in Water project run by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). One aim of the project is to provide remote rural areas with improved access to gigabit Broadband services and 5G by installing fi bre optic cables through the existing drinking water mains network. Simultaneously, the project will also enable the modernisation of the water industry by helping solve the challenge of the removal of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) which is due between 2021-2025. The project is earmarked to help address clean water leakage. Water and telecoms are both classed as Critical National Infrastructure and experience deployment challenges, but there are potential synergies that can be exploited through this project.


There are indeed some exciting developments on the horizon for leak detection. A full SWIG workshop on Leakage will be held on 2 February 2022 if you would like to learn more about how leakage can be tackled.


Rosa Richards is an Independent Environmental Consultant specialising in water policy and monitoring. She is Programme Manager of the Sensors for Water Interest Group (SWIG), and a freelance writer of science and technology. This article is based on a SWIG/KTN Sensor Sprint webinar held on 24 November 2021. www.swig.org.uk A SWIG webinar on Leakage held on 2 February 2022 will be available to watch on a pay to view basis if you would like to learn more about how leakage can be tackled.


Author Contact Details Rosa Richards, Independent Environmental Consultant


• Bristol • Tel: 01934 830658 • Email: rosapmrichards@gmail.com • Web: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosa-richards-7a515936/


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