Scottish Water has utilised cutting-edge inspection technology in Dundee to assess the condition of a critical 30-inch trunk water main serving the south of the city.
Installed in the 1980s, the strategic concrete trunk main plays a vital role in supplying drinking water to approximately 100,000 customers. The pipe contains pre-stressed steel wires embedded within its concrete structure. Although designed for long-term durability, failure of these internal wires can lead to bursts and disruption to water supplies. Regular condition assessments are therefore essential to maintaining a safe and reliable service.
To carry out the inspection, Scottish Water partnered with Morrisons Construction and Xylem Water Solutions and deployed advanced technology known as the “PipeDiver”. Manufactured in Canada, the PipeDiver unit travelled more than 3,300 miles to reach Dundee for the key project.
Launched and retrieved through existing access points - without the need for excavation or major civil engineering works -the device travelled 4.5km along the trunk main. While operating inside the live water main, it collected detailed data on the condition of the pipe walls and internal components.
The tool can navigate inline valves and tight bends, and crucially, the inspection was completed without interrupting water supplies to customers. The process took approximately six hours, after which a crane was used to safely remove the PipeDiver from the pipeline.
This investment builds on earlier leakage detection work carried out on the main and forms part of Scottish Water’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing critical infrastructure across Dundee.
David Waily, Project Manager said:
“This trunk main is a key asset supplying thousands of customers in the south of Dundee. Using innovative technology like PipeDiver allows us to assess its condition from the inside, helping us identify any potential issues before they become major problems.
“By taking this proactive approach, we can reduce the risk of bursts and continue to provide a reliable water supply to our customers.”
The data is now being analysed, and any required maintenance on the pipe will be planned.
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