Optimising water distribution with AquaProbes

AquaProbes from ABB are helping South East Water with a strategic project to assess and optimise the way it pumps water around its distribution network

AquaProbes from ABB are helping South East Water with a strategic project to assess and optimise the way it pumps water around its distribution network.

The ability to introduce metering without disrupting the water supply was crucial in the decision to opt for AquaProbe technology.

South East Water needed flow meters that it could hot-tap into its trunk mains without interrupting the water supply.

The company also wanted devices that it could repeatedly remove and install at other points in the network as necessary.

This would have been impossible with conventional, full-bore flow meters.

In contrast, AquaProbes feature an electromagnetic sensor head suspended on a support rod that passes through the pipe wall.

This makes them ideal for this type of application.

Like many utility companies, South East Water is working with a distribution network that has expanded over many decades.

In some areas, this means that it is not always clear whether the company's assets are optimised.

"We might have several inlets to a reservoir, for example, but we wouldn't necessarily know precisely how much water is entering the site from each one," says Northern Leakage Manager Richard Moss.

Much of the South East Water network runs under relatively flat areas, which means that the water must be actively pumped, rather than being moved around under gravity.

"We need to make sure that we're using our assets efficiently and moving water in the most cost effective way.

We want to pump water as little as possible to save energy.

Domestic power bills have risen by 30 to 40% in recent months and it's the same for industry.

We need to reduce pumping costs for the benefit of our customers," he says.

ABB has delivered an initial consignment of 20 AquaProbe units.

According to Mr Moss, this looks set to be followed by further orders in the coming months as the programme expands.

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