Water & Wastewater Treatment

www.wwtonline.co.uk | WWT | DECEmBER 2015 | 25 In the know New research by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has found that cameras flown on drones could be used to detect leaking underground water pipes over hundreds of miles of desert. The research aims to reduce the vast quantities of water that can be lost in large- scale pipes, particularly in arid countries where water is transported over large distances. The study, led by Prof Amin Al-Habaibeh, from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, shows how RESEARCH ROUND UP Infrared drones detect underground water leaks infrared technology could be used to detect large-scale leaks that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Professor Al-Habaibeh, a professor of intelligent engineering systems and who is from Jaresh in Jordan, said: "Water is one of the most precious commodities around the world, but significant quantities are lost on a daily basis through leaking and broken pipes. What we are proposing is a non-contact and high-speed system that can be used remotely to detect changes in humidity over vast areas of desert." RISING UP Andrew Baird, technical director for wastewater treatment specialist WPL, has been appointed convenor of the British Water Packaged Treatment Plant Forum. The Forum advises on standards and on regulation, and provides a way for the industry to lobby for unified standards and improved training. Baird, who has 27 years experience in the water industry, is the regulatory expert for WPL, which specialises in custom-made packaged treatment plants. Business Stream has appointed Dave Allin, formerly of Severn Trent Water Services, to further strengthen its senior team ahead of the opening of the English water market in 2017. Allin, who was recruited specifically for his impressive track record in the non- domestic market, will become Business Stream's new head of solutions. Sonia Brown has le her role of Chief Regulation Officer at Ofwat, following a management overhaul announced by chief executive Cathryn Ross in September. The new structure at the regulator does not include a chief regulation officer, and Brown opted not to apply for any of the newly created posts available under the restructuring plans. She has le to seek a new challenge in the commercial sector. mWH has appointed Dr Krisztina Bordacs as Lead Sustainability Consultant in the UK. Dr Bordacs will have responsibility for growing the mWH sustainability consulting business in the UK. The research shows how high and low resolution infrared cameras can be used from height to detect the change in temperature of sand that occurs when leaking water underground evaporates from its surface. By using GPS the technology would pinpoint exactly where a leak has occurred to allow for remedial work to be done sooner. Short distances could be covered by an infrared camera attached to a quadcopter drone, whereas for greater distances, an infrared camera could be attached to an inflated zeppelin anchored to the back of a vehicle that is driven along pipeline routes. The research was developed by Bubaker Shakmak, a postgraduate researcher at the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. A simulation model of the Great Man-Made River in Libya was created for tests. Shakmak said: "The early detection of leaks would enable water providers in arid countries like Libya to improve their operational efficiency, reduce the potential for the contamination of water and extend the life of facilities. This is a non-destructive technology which would provide a cost-effective way of monitoring major pipelines to help avert the large-scale loss of treated and consumable water." ● 26 Innovation Zone: UIS Transmatic ● 29 Q&A: Biogas and renewable energy ● 33 Digging Deeper: GIS ● 37 Technically Speaking: Sludge dewatering 1 Dec WWT Water Industry Technology & Innovation conference, Birmingham. 8-9 Dec Future Water Networks conference & workshop, Kenilworth. 28 Jan WWT Wastewater 2016 conference, Birmingham. 25 Feb WWt Water Northern Ireland conference, Belfast . COmING UP Atkins, together with the University of Birmingham, Imperial College London, and the British Geological Survey, has launched a Centre for Research and Innovation to tackle the economic and environmental impacts of groundwater infiltration on urban infrastructure in the UK, which is estimated to cost tens of millions of pounds annually. For the first two years, the centre will be focused on sewerage infrastructure where water seeping through cracked pipes is estimated to account for 40% of flow in the network, reducing sewer capacity. The centre will undertake research with academia, researchers and industry to seek innovative and practicable solutions to this longstanding industry problem. New research centre to tackle urban groundwater infiltration

• Cover