Sahara® Pipeline Inspection to help Thames Water tackle leakage.
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Sahara®
at work in London |
As part of their ongoing programme to tackle leakage in their trunk mains this year (2009/10), Thames Water Utilities Ltd has awarded a contract to WRc Pipeline Inspection to provide a full time Sahara® Leak Location survey team.
The decision reflects the success of the Sahara system in previous inspection programmes for Thames Water. The precise nature of the detection and location method helps to minimise the impact of the repairs – a particularly important requirement when operating in the busy streets of London. The dedicated team will ensure planning and execution of the surveys is carried out efficiently.
Thames Water has led the way in trunk mains inspection and shown that there are significant benefits to be made through the inspection and repair of trunk mains. The sensitivity of the system to even very small leaks is exploited through its use to inspect mains in critical locations: under railways, near underground train lines and in areas where the consequence of failure would be severe. In these cases inspection and demonstration that no leaks are present is the best outcome, but early detection of leakage allows repairs and rehabilitation to be undertaken before catastrophic failure occurs.
Catherine Hunt, Network Operations Manager at Thames Water says “A key element in helping to reduce leakage has been the implementation of Sahara surveys to cover our key strategic mains. We now get more regular surveys and a better idea of the condition of these mains.”
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