Water companies have been in the Public Eye recently, with Ofwat warning that money alone will not solve the multiple issues they face. However, drones can assist in working more efficiently, accessing places that are harder to reach, thus they spot leaks faster than traditional methods.

Ofwat’s CEO, David Black said recently that:

“Companies must implement actions now to improve performance, be more dynamic, agile and on the front foot of issues. The challenge for water companies is to match the investment with the changes in company culture and performance that are essential to deliver lasting change.”

One company that is already forging ahead to reduce costs and work more efficiently is ARPAS-UK member, Severn Trent. Their work featured recently on the BBC website. The main points of the article are as follows:

• Cost Savings: Using drones has saved Severn Trent potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds per year by detecting leaks and damages early.
• Efficiency: Drones equipped with thermal imaging can quickly identify leaks, reducing the time needed to locate issues from days to hours.
• Environmental Goals: Severn Trent aims to reduce water leakage by 15% by 2025 and halve water loss by 2045
• Versatility: Drones are used in various industries, including agriculture and infrastructure inspection, due to their cost-effectiveness and ability to access hard-to-reach areas.

In addition to the above positive points, is that by finding leaks faster and dealing with them, customers are less likely to feel the impact of leaks and flooding, alongside the concomitant costs associated.

15 October 2024