Network integrity and leakage management
Pipeline condition assessment
We offer a range of condition assessment services and we continue to adapt our testing techniques to address the inevitable unique situations that call for an unconventional approach.
Efficient assessment techniques
- Free swimming internal inspection technology
- Robotic pipeline inspection
- Tethered under pressure acoustic and CCTV inspection
WRc
General enquiries
Zero leakage approach
We are renowned for our industry-leading approach to leak detection, having delivered some of the largest trunk main leak detection projects in the UK and abroad, for clients such as international water undertakers and industrial users.
Our state-of-the-art technologies accurately detect the smallest of leaks and air pockets in a pipeline. Utilising pre-existing access points for deployment and removal of equipment wherever possible, leaks can be identified, assessed and quantified without causing disruption to the service.
Working in partnership with utilities and industry, our techniques save time and money as well as conserving water that would otherwise be unaccounted for and lost. The detailed data that is gathered during inspections enables leak repairs to be prioritised immediately following the survey.
Avoiding asset failure
Using condition assessment techniques deployed on a range of different platforms, we help utilities and industry to understand the condition of underground infrastructure, allowing pipelines to be maintained without the need for widespread replacement or rehabilitation. Our assessments provide data to inform efficient mains replacement strategies that minimise disruption and reduce costs.
Valuable investment advice
Effective condition assessment, so localised problems are identified and addressed before they result in failure, is a far more effective and efficient way to maintain pressurised pipelines than widespread replacement or rehabilitation of long sections that may otherwise have remained in service for a long time. Return on investment studies demonstrate that a properly conducted assessment and repair program can be implemented for as little as only 4% of the capital replacement cost, maximising the value of a client’s budget.
Capital replacement programmes for large diameter pressure pipelines carry a high price and pose significant logistical challenges. Through analysing survey data from large-diameter pipelines, it is possible to optimise transmission main maintenance. Even problematic pipelines are typically 96% defect-free, with less than 1% of sections requiring immediate repair.
Pipeline inspection and leak detection: The methods we use
Sahara®
Sahara®
Sahara® is a highly accurate tethered inspection tool used for pinpointing leaks and carrying out pipeline condition assessments in real time, while the pipeline is in service. The tool can be used in potable water trunk mains, raw water mains, wastewater rising mains and sewers.
SmartBall®
SmartBall®
SmartBall® is one of the world’s most trusted inspection technologies. It is a free-flowing (rolling) inspection tool that can be deployed for long distances, while the pipeline remains in service, avoiding customer disruption.
PipeDiver®
PipeDiver®
PipeDiver® is a free swimming, high-resolution pipe inspection tool for large-diameter pipes. It operates while the pipeline remains in service and it is capable of inspecting the condition of 40 km or more in a single deployment.
PipeCrawler
PipeCrawler
A market-leading tethered crawler that is simple to deploy for both underwater and dry potable water environment applications.
Potable water pipe crawler
WRc offers a dedicated service for the inspection of potable water environments by merging a market-leading long distance crawler with the accuracy of the Sahara® pipeline inspection system’s proven tracking technology.
Potable water environment specialists
Our PipeCrawler is a market-leading tethered crawler that is simple to deploy for both underwater and dry potable water environment applications. PipeCrawler has a range of up to 1000 m and a depth capability of 60 m, with survey options for CCTV (tailored inspection) and NDT (remote sensing and tooling). Where pipeline openings are smaller than 320 mm, our small potable water crawler can be deployed to a range of up to 240 m in pipes from 150 mm.
- Long range
This market-leading PipeCrawler has a phenomenal range of up to 1000 m, reducing the number of openings required to survey your pipeline. - Pin-point accuracy
Paired with the proven Sahara® pipeline inspection system’s location technology, features found during surveys can be marked to within 300 mm on the surface above, even through cast iron. - Potable assurance
Our crawlers are reserved only for use in potable water, ensuring best practice is observed for inspections within these environments.
Discover the technology
Find out more about the specifications and features of our large Potable Water Pipe Crawler (Versatrax 320™ supplied by Eddyfi Technologies).
Visit websiteDrone inspections for pipeline visualisation
Drones equipped with laser scanning technology provide detailed visualisations, mapping, condition reports and photographic documentation for existing pipeline infrastructure.
Visualising your assets
WRc, on behalf of our sister RSK company The Scan Station, provides technical drone inspection services to the water industry using high resolution camera systems that are capable of delivering everything from total asset mapping to close inspection work.
Powerful drone technology Elios 3 uses computer vision and laser scanning to produce a 3D live map of assets such as internal pipelines, sewer lines and confined spaces.
Covering a range of networks
Our flexible leak detection technologies can be used to inspect a growing number of assets:
Keep your assets performing at their best
Identify any issues with our professional inspection, testing and certification services to optimise performance.
Get in touch