Next month’s Global Leakage Summit which takes place in London on 25th and 26th June is showcasing developments at six UK water companies using innovative technologies – and trialling others - to increase and maintain efficiency in their networks.

Technology companies are already playing a major part in developing innovation to help companies meet their leakage targets. Advances in sensor and communication technology, integrated networks and pipe repair technology are needed for companies to get even anywhere near zero..

Innovation is seen as key - and there is an increased focus on developing and introducing next generation leakage management tools – sensors, data communication and analysis systems, as well as advanced leak detection technologies.

During the course of the wide-ranging 2 day conference, delegates will have the opportunity to hear how six of the UK water companies are tackling leakage in the face of increasingly tough targets Ofwat has set in the run-up to the 2019 Price Review.

Andy Smith, Regional Optimisation Manager at Anglian Water wil present an update on its investment in Smart Water Systems and its ‘Shop Window’, including fixed correlating networks, enhanced pressure and transient monitoring - and explain how these new technologies affect the business in terms of both people and culture.

An interesting presentation from Jeremy Heath, Innovation Manager at SES Water explaining the direction needed to ’push the envelope’ towards zero will explore the ‘Four Pillars’ of innovation and ask four essential questions:

• How do we stop leaks occurring in the first place?
• How can new technologies help us spot leaks earlier?
• What innovative developments will help us localise leakage quickly and more accurately?
• Are there developing methodologies for repairing leaks more efficiently?

Northumbrian Water Group has been trialling a new technology for leak detection that does not depend on acoustic technology and is suitable for all pipe materials. This is particularly relevant for customer service pipes –and understanding the balance between customer use, supply pipe leakage and internal plumbing losses. Dr Joseph Butterfield, Technical Specialist at the water company will explain Northumbrian’s unique approach to addressing customer leakage.

According to Mark Tully, Strategic Planning Manager - Networks, Southern Water, ‘smart networks aren’t smart unless the data are used for smart insights and actions.’ Southern Water is utilising all the innovation it has at its disposal , including 5G/NB-IOT communications, emerging AI for network automation and control. Mark Tully will focus on how the utility is using all the data it gets from smart sensors, to allow better decision making for better performance and resilience. Integrated sensor management and technology convergence are enabling Southern to create an integrated smart network – one picture.

Bristol Water’s Frank van der Kleij, Head of Asset Risk and Planning takes an in-depth look at how to understand and calm the network via dynamically adaptive networks through the next generation District Meter Areas. Key issues include utilising calm network principles supported by the increased use of smart technology, together with assessing the impact of dynamic network areas on network and leakage management and performance.

Finally, Portsmouth Water’s Distribution Project Manager Jamie Jones explains what IoT is and looks at the role it can play in leakage management, together with examining the current limitations of understanding leakage and the role played by IoT in improving that understanding.

Now in its 10th edition, the world-leading forum for leakage management will take an in-depth look into whether zero leakage is a future reality or "just a pipedream.”

Leakage is an ongoing issue for the UK water industry - the water companies are under continuing pressure to meet increasingly tough targets in the context of ongoing public debate about whether the sector should be renationalised. The issue is likely to be at the top of the UK's political agenda in the next general election.

The Summit will also consider how Brexit is likely to affect the UK and European water industry and whether research and innovation and investment in assets and infrastructure suffer.

 Click here for more information about the Global Leakage Summit