Fibre optic technology employed to test water networks

A partnership between Kier and the CRALEY Group has recently been organised to test the use of iSM technology, fibre optic technology, on utilities networks to identify leakages and faults in the pipe network.

Testing will involve the installation and extraction of fibre optic cabling in a sample network of pipes in Lincolnshire, as a branch of the Anglian Water utilities network, to test to leak detection capabilities of the technology which uses virtual sensors to produce data on the state of the pipework.

The Group Managing Director at Kier Utilities, Barry McNicholas stated: “We are delighted to be working with our partners Anglian Water and CRALEY Group to pilot this exciting new technology. It has the potential to transform how our industry detects water leaks.

“Working collaboratively, we are dedicated to finding innovative solutions for our clients which in turn allows them to provide a first-class service to their customers.”

The Project Manager for Anglian Water, Hayley Bruce added: “This technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we find and fix leaks across our water network and we are hoping it will be a fitting addition to our Smart network strategy.

“Despite being the best in the business, we know we must go even further as it is one of the most important things to our customers and the wider environment. Anglian Water was the first company to use thermal imaging drones and naval hydrophone technology to help us find leaks, this could be the next tool in our armoury in the war against leakage.

“In terms of leaks, because we are industry leading, gone are all the low-hanging fruits and quick wins, we are now into the realms of tracking down really hard to find leaks, long before they are visible to the naked eye.

“Over the last five years we have invested £120M in driving down leakage, and our targets are now even tougher. We are working towards further reduction of over 15 per cent by 2025 meaning we will be a world leader in low levels of leakage.

“We are exploring every avenue of engineering available to us to continually be better, and technology like this could revolutionise our ability to meet those tough targets.”

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