H2O Global News sat down with Tony Gwynne, leakage solutions director at Ovarro, to find out more about their recently launched end-to-end solution for locating water leaks
What is LeakNavigator?
LeakNavigator is Ovarro’s new end-to-end solution for locating water leaks. It was born from the need to tackle leaks holistically and work with each client to tailor a solution that meets their specific requirements. It aims to guide water managers each step of the way – from correctly placing loggers, to detecting and locating leaks.
LeakNavigator comprises advanced acoustic data loggers, cloud-based software, and our leakage expertise. With all elements combined, the service can accurately identify points of interest (POIs) on behalf of water companies, alerting field technicians directly, so they can head straight to site with high confidence that a leak will be found.
How does it work?
The LeakNavigator package uses acoustic loggers from the Enigma range, which are installed following an assessment of a water company’s district metered area (DMA), undertaken by our leakage analysts. This process establishes the most suitable equipment to install, the unit numbers required and the best locations for optimum efficiency. The service can also apply to existing Enigma logger fleets already installed.
Two loggers are placed in the network: Enigma 3M, an accelerometer, that is spaced 150-300 metres along the pipeline, and then the Enigma 3BB, a hydrophone logger, that is spaced 500-750 metres apart. These loggers correlate with each other and work out changes in sound, velocity, or frequency that may indicate a leak. The Enigma 3BB, unlike most loggers, is particularly adept at locating leaks on plastic pipework, which makes up a large proportion of water network leakages.
Once the loggers are in operation, Ovarro’s teams undertake ongoing data analysis, sending Point of Interest’s (POIs) directly to water company field technicians via a mobile app. The captured data, which also supports maintenance targeting, is processed and presented to customers in a dashboard.
What challenge is LeakNavigator trying to solve?
While acoustic fixed networks – which are permanently in place to pinpoint leaks by monitoring the sound of water escaping from pipes – are bringing major improvements, the sector has at times struggled with the correct placement of acoustic loggers.
For remote loggers to achieve the best possible results, they need to be placed in the optimum locations across a network – but establishing precisely where these spots are is no easy task and requires specialist expertise.
LeakNavigator solves this challenge by taking complete ownership of the data analysis and leak detection process, working in collaboration with water companies, with results-driven accountability.
When I was working for Severn Trent Water in leakage detection we would acquire plug-in-play technology that was great, but there was a lack of service and a lack of skills to carry out the work. This is what sets LeakNavigator apart: it doesn’t just throw technology at the problem, it takes a service-based approach that boosts efficiency while making life a lot easier for the field technician.
What are the results so far?
LeakNavigator has already proven very popular among utilities in the UK – such as Thames Water, Southern Water, Affinity Water and United Utilities – as well as those located further afield in France, Malaysia and the US.
These utilities are recording a combined performance increase of 20-25% in total leaks found, plus a 30% reduction in lost field time through false positives and a POI-to-leak conversion rate of over 85%.
These outcomes are allowing leakage teams to focus their attention – helping achieve their leakage targets and ultimately secure future water supplies. This is especially important as regulators and customers continue to push water companies to cut leakage.
Tony’s colleague, Matthew Hawkridge, will discuss LeakNavigator in more depth at the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit on 21 February 2023, when he opens the segment on smart asset management. The summit takes place in London, UK, on 21-22 February. More information is available at: www.ovarro.com/leaknavigator
Related stories:
Fully-managed fixed network leakage service launches
Ovarro – Company Profile
