In an industry first, Anglian Water is deploying an adapted form of naval technology across its network to locate and fix leaks faster than ever before.

The water company has unveiled the latest technology as the latest weapon in its armoury in its bid to further drive down leakage.

Known as advanced noise loggers, the ground-breaking equipment utilises hydrophone technology to detect leak noises on the mains network. Placed permanently within the pipe itself the loggers listen through the flow of water to find hard to pinpoint leaks.

Traditionally hydrophones are used by the navy for submarine navigation, underwater mapping, and communication.

Andy Smith, Regional Optimisation Manager for Anglian Water said:

“One of the biggest challenges faced across the water industry is the ability to detect leaks effectively on plastic pipes as they don’t transmit noise when they leak. Critically, unlike more widely used methods, this new technology can be used on plastic pipes, which make up 60% of our waters mains.

“This is a real game-changer in how we tackle leakage in terms of our teams on the ground and the processes we use. It will revolutionise what we do in terms of leakage.”

Anglian already has the lowest level of leakage in the water industry at half the national average. Being ahead of the curve means the water company is now in the realms of tracking down really hard to find leaks, long before they’re visible to the naked eye.

The utility will be fitting thousands of the leak detectors across its network over the next 18 months in a bid to drive down their already industry leading leakage levels by a further 22% before 2025. Some 3500 noise loggers will be istalled between now and 2020, with a further tranche already being planned beyond that.

Andy Smith continued:

“Our leakage targets are now really tough. We’re looking into every avenue of engineering available to us to continually be better, and technology like this will revolutionise our ability to meet those tough targets.”

Ultimately the noise loggers will form a cornerstone of Anglian Water’s leakage strategy and work alongside other technology, like thermal imaging drones and satellite imagery to help save millions of litres of water.

This would make Anglian Water a world leader in leakage, as well as retaining leading position in the UK.

The technology has been developed in partnership with Primayer, a leader in hydrophone technology. Andy Smith added:

“We very much created the technology together. We didn’t want to just accept what was on offer, we wanted to collaborate to drive for the best solution for the challenge we faced.

“The noise logger is a permanent fixture within the water pipe, taking readings every night so any noise from leaks can be heard more clearly and analysed by our leakage team. Essentially we’re listening for leaks; these are our ears in the ground.

“Working with our in-house data team we’ve also developed a dedicated modelling system which works out the optimum points across the water mains network to place the sensors. This precise deployment means the noise loggers can be installed much more efficiently.”

The system is much more accurate, generating far fewer false positive readings of where leaks. Trials have shown they can cover six times the distance of other noise loggers, meaning far fewer devices are needed on the network, thus saving money.

The technology is also set to change how the workforce operates. Traditionally, finding leaks is a “boots on the ground” job - the noise loggers mean Anlian will be able to up-skill its workforce and give them the opportunity to work with state of the art technology.

It will also change how the water company makes repairs – with fewer large, prolonged excavations, less chance of interruptions to supply and ultimately less disruption for customers.

Anglian Water recently proposed a £240m investment into tackling leakage alone as part of its recent business plan submission to regulator Ofwat. Installation of the noise loggers will form part of that investment.