EDITOR’S PICKS
Xylem’s SoundPrint® acoustic fibre optic
system monitors critical pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCPs
Matthew Kennedy
Digitalisation is transforming approaches to asset Management
Data forms the foundation of advanced asset management – a foundation that must be laid by water companies now to unlock its full potential, writes Matthew Kennedy, global product manager for water loss at Xylem, ahead of the WWT Asset Management Conference.
There is a pressing need for water companies to take a more risk-based and digital approach to asset management if they are to meet tightening regulatory expectations, while addressing the ongoing challenges of ageing infrastructure, skills gaps, an ageing workforce and labour shortages.
As the 2025-2030 asset management period (AMP8) approaches for water companies in England and Wales, there is a new focus from Ofwat towards long- term planning, increased investment and adaptation to climate change. Making better use of available data will help utility leaders identify optimal management approaches.
The good news is that rapid developments in digital technology are making it possible for utilities to transform the way water and wastewater assets are managed. The collection, storage and interpretation of data in relation to assets and their performance forms the foundation of advanced asset management.
It is a foundation that must be laid now in order to realise the full benefits of data in AMP8 and beyond - there are huge
18 | December 2023 |
www.draintraderltd.com Xylem Vue
data deficits that need to be plugged and siloed information that needs to be unlocked.
From Xylem’s conversations with utilities, we understand where the gaps are and have developed a broad set of solutions to fill them. This includes new sensor technologies to understand the performance of assets, such as Xylem’s SoundPrint® acoustic fibre optic system, which continually monitors critical pre- stressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCPs), acquires data and alerts utilities to structural changes in near real-time.
The system was deployed by Scottish Water in June 2022, to extend the asset life of a trunk main that runs over 16km from a water treatment works to a service
reservoir in West Dunbartonshire. In a European first, the technology is allowing Scottish Water to accurately monitor the condition of the critical main and plan interventions to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply.
Where asset managers need to understand the impact of critical factors impacting their investment decisions, Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua, integrates and standardises data from assets and systems across the utility to provide 360-degree operational intelligence.
Vue and SoundPrint® are just two of the many examples of digital solutions now available to water companies, which can transform asset management, and the
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 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
