Leakage from underground water pipelines poses a significant challenge to the water industry. Estimates suggest that up to a fifth of all treated water is lost annually, amounting to nearly one trillion litres in the UK alone. This substantial loss not only impacts costs but also strains environmental resources.

Traditional methods of detecting and repairing leaks often necessitate extensive roadworks and material use. To address these issues, innovative solutions that reduce material demand and excavation are imperative.

Synthotech, in collaboration with its R&D division Synovate and several UK water sector partners, is spearheading the development of advanced tools and techniques for leak detection and repair in water pipelines. It seeks to leverage Synthotech’s extensive experience in the gas industry, particularly in robotics, leakage repair, and advanced sensing technologies, to create low-impact solutions for water leakage.

Synthotech has assembled a world-class team, bringing together expertise from various sectors, businesses, and academic institutions. This multidisciplinary approach fosters innovations in materials, processes, techniques, and robotics, aiming to revolutionise the maintenance of underground utilities.

Synthotech has invested in creating a robust training ground for new solutions. With dedicated laboratory and development spaces, Synthotech prototypes, tests, and develops new solutions, followed by in-house operations and field engineering support to establish real-world use cases and capacities within the industry.

One of Synthotech’s key innovations involves robotics and specialised sealing and repair techniques. These advanced technologies allow for the maintenance of underground utilities with minimal excavations and material usage. Special access systems enable cutting-edge technology to enter live pipelines, detect issues, and perform repairs and maintenance without the need for extensive digging.

The financial implications of this technology are significant. The most substantial cost in mains repairs is associated with excavation. By reducing the need for digging, Synthotech’s innovations promise considerable cost efficiencies, allowing more leaks to be repaired without increased expenditure. This benefits customers by providing greater value for money while reducing the environmental impact.

Addressing the challenge of rising mains

Rising mains present a unique challenge due to their difficult access and the complexity of shutting them off for internal inspection. Synthotech’s robots offer a breakthrough solution, enabling the industry to spot, predict, and fix deteriorating pipes before they burst, thus preventing environmental pollution. Using robots to assess the internal condition of rising mains will transform the industry’s approach to maintaining this critical infrastructure.

Breakthrough Achievements

Synthotech’s innovative efforts have been recognised in the fourth round of Ofwat’s Water Breakthrough Challenge, with two contracts awarded to Synthotech and Synovate. The projects will deploy the latest robotic technology to identify and repair leaks from within live water mains, minimising excavations and interruptions to water supplies.

Key project partners include Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Affinity Water, SES Water, Anglian Water, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Uisce Éireann Irish Water, Southern Water, Welsh Water, the University of Sheffield, WRc, ALH Systems, and Arcadis.

The collaborations will see robots deployed in rising mains to predict failures and make pre-emptive repairs, further preventing environmental pollution, and repairing potable water mains without digging and excavation.

Advanced sensors

Synthotech’s robots are equipped with advanced sensors, capable of relaying high-definition images to operators, allowing for accurate assessment and the selection of appropriate fixes. The robots can be deployed remotely over long distances, speeding up the investigation process, enhancing health and safety, and reducing environmental impact. These robots serve as platforms for various sensors and repair technologies, adaptable to each situation, including spray liners, structural lining, and sealants, and can operate in pressurised environments, boosting repair efficiency.

Synthotech’s technology signifies a paradigm shift in pipeline maintenance, offering a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective approach. With headquarters in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Synthotech operates internationally and leads in robotics-as-a-service, working with utility companies to deploy the latest pipeline maintenance technology.

Simon Langdale, Engineering Director at Synovate, concludes, “Over the next decade, robots will play an increasingly important role in the economy and society. The water industry is taking significant strides to ensure that it benefits from opportunities that robots can play in maintaining infrastructure with the next generation of trenchless technology.”

synthotech.com