TECHNICAL FEATURES
ensure the selected images were of sufficient quality. WRc hopes that this image library can be improved with the addition of more data to extend the range and quality of images to incorporate even more defects and, following initial feedback, even release the images not selected for initial inclusion so that the AI software can be trained using not only positive examples but also negative ones.
United Utilities Head of Innovation Kieran Brocklebank said: “I am very pleased with the outcome of this collaborative project which is one of the first delivered projects from the Ofwat Innovation Fund.
“I would like to congratulate WRc for their resilience in helping us deliver this great solution for the sector. Water companies are active in reviewing the dataset and seeing how they can use it effectively; for United Utilities, our AI provider has already uploaded the new data into their AI model and we’re seeing the benefits.”
Spring Innovation Knowledge Manager Chloe Tooth said: “We were delighted to work with United Utilities and WRc as a knowledge sharing partner on this project. It was great to see how open and honest this group of project partners were in sharing their lessons with the sector. It is critical that knowledge amassed from projects like
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this is shared across the sector to accelerate learning and ensure the Ofwat Innovation Fund is delivering innovation insights to benefit all customers.”
WRc said that feedback from the launch
had been hugely positive, with ongoing discussions with current AI software providers demonstrating that the library has already been used by data specialists to improve their work.
Data-driven blockage
Anglian Water has applied Ovarro’s data- driven early-warning technology across all rising main sewers, meaning bursts and blockages are detected before serious pollution occurs.
Anglian Water pledges in its 2025-2030 draft business plan to eliminate serious pollution and reduce total number of pollution incidents by 40%, with a strategy that includes bringing in machine learning.
In spring 2022, Anglian Water became the first utility to adopt BurstDetect, Ovarro’s artificial intelligence (AI) led system that uses machine learning to detect rising main sewer bursts before pollution occurs. Following this, the utility purchased BlockageDetect which analyses data from the same assets to alert to sewer blockages.
In February 2024, it adopted PumpInsight, | June 2024 |
www.draintraderltd.com
detection cuts pollution Anglian Water applies Ovarro burst detection technology across rising mains
a secondary component platform that uses AI, including machine learning, to monitor telemetered pumping stations and detect performance issues to support predictive pump maintenance.
Anglian Water and Ovarro’s PumpInsight project has been shortlisted in the asset management initiative of the year category at the Water Industry Awards 2024, taking place on 4 July in Birmingham.
Preventative decision-making
Water companies in England and Wales will rollout a major investment programme in 2025-30, with ambitious plans to cut sewage spills and pollution. There will be a particular focus on reducing rising main sewer bursts.
Rising mains are pressurised pipes that
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