IWN Pipeline Intelligence Program trials new tech

Water loss from leaking assets is a significant issue for our industry, leading to potential revenue loss and environmental damage. That’s why Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) has a Pipeline Intelligence Program - established over ten years ago as one of the first in this area.
Water loss from leaking assets is a significant issue for our industry, leading to potential revenue loss and environmental damage. That’s why Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) has a Pipeline Intelligence Program - established over ten years ago as one of the first in this area.

Water loss from leaking assets is a significant issue for our industry, leading to potential revenue loss and environmental damage. That’s why Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) has a Pipeline Intelligence Program – established over ten years ago as one of the first in this area.

Rather than replacing large amounts of pipework, we need to find more efficient solutions to prevent water loss from leaks. Our industry also acknowledges that monitoring, correction, and effective water quality management are paramount to our customers and creating a truly intelligent water network system.

Our Pipeline Intelligence Program investigates technologies to pinpoint pipeline issues. By identifying the location of a problem, we can refine the pipe replacement process, reduce costs, and minimise service interruptions. We also investigate technologies designed to resolve pipeline inflow and infiltration issues, often resulting in additional pumping costs and premature treatment plant upgrades.

This program is one of our busiest. With an emphasis on minimising water loss, IWN has also been reviewing opportunities for more effective mains cleaning processes.

Pipeline Intelligence Program cooperating with local partners

This year, we have been running a trial with NO-DES provided by Detection Services with five of our member water corporations. NO-DES is a new method of mains cleaning that has the benefit of virtually no water loss, making it an environmentally friendly option while also minimising disruption to customers and providing a safe and clean environment for operational staff.

Traditionally, water pipes have been flushed by opening fire hydrants and letting water discharge into the street and stormwater system. The NO-DES system saves this water by attaching to two fire hydrants and creating a temporary above-ground loop through which the water is circulated, cleaned and returned to the pipe. The NO-DES machine flushes the water between the hydrants at a velocity that intentionally stirs up the sediments and removes them in the purpose-built NO-DES filters.

NO-DES is new technology. NO-DES / Detection Services have worked closely with IWN and our members to make this technology available for trial.

The process behind the pipeline intelligence program was simple:

  1. It’s easy to set up. A NO-DES truck with a massive two-vessel filtering system pulls up between two fire hydrants where water quality problems are experienced.
  2. A heavy-duty hose is connected from one fire hydrant to the NO-DES filtering system inlet point. A second hose is connected to a second fire hydrant from the NO-DES outlet point.
  3. When both fire hydrants are opened, a temporary above-ground loop is created in the water distribution system.
  4. A large, variable speed pump on the NO-DES unit then circulates the water through the loop at a very high speed in the opposite direction of the natural flow. This “stirs up” the sediments and biofilms inside the water main.
  5. Sediments and biofilms are removed as the water passes through NO-DES’s extremely fine 24-chamber filtration system. A small amount of chlorine is added during the process to maintain water quality parameters. NTU and Chlorine levels are monitored via the inline water quality monitoring systems on the NO-DES truck.
  6. When the entire section of the water main between the hydrants has been flushed clean, the system is shut down, hydrants are closed, and hoses are removed.

The trial has identified the following benefits:

  • It requires no shutdown of the water supply – minimising the impact on customers.
  • It is self-contained, with little/no water flushed down the street – mitigating environmental impact.
  • It filters and re-circulates the water inside the pipes (down to one-micron absolute).
  • It is a controlled flow providing for reduced damage – no water hammer or pipe/lining erosion.
  • The water quality is not compromised by adding chlorine if required.
  • It can be used in various scenarios, from areas suffering nitrification, chlorine decay or discoloured water to newly installed mains or after pipeline repairs.
  • It is highly mobile and accessible.

Would you like to see our trials in action?

We are putting together a final report regarding the outcome of this trial. It will be available to all our member water corporations and promoted through our newsletter. If you are interested in finding out more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at enquiries@iwn.org.au

Related Articles:

Send this to a friend