The trials are set to analyse parts of South Australia’s water main system particularly susceptible to damage. Photo: SA Water.
SA Water is set to trial the use of satellites to defend against water main leaks and breaks in an effort to reduce the impact on the community.
The trial, covering more than 820 kilometres of underground pipes across Adelaide’s north-east, will use satellite images and monitoring to assess one of the primary causes of water main leaks and breaks: ground movement.
The scans allow work crews and repair teams to proactively manage water infrastructure and repair issues before they have broader effects.
The trial covers Athelstone and Rostrevor, suburbs prone to water main incidents due to reactive soil conditions that expand and contract depending on the weather.
The suburbs, in the Adelaide foothills, feature a unique profile of soil layers that shift depending on moisture levels.
The trial is part of a wider investment by SA Water in smart technology. More than 1000 pressure loggers and acoustic sensors have been installed over the past two years in Adelaide, with further installations in the pipeline.
The smart technology uses real-time information to detect issues with underground systems by observing acoustic patterns and changes in flow or pressure. Unexpected data then triggers further investigation.
“We are always looking to innovate and find new ways to minimise the potential impact of water main breaks,” Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Housing Infrastructure and Planning Nick Champion said.
“Already we have seen results. The new acoustic sensors installed across Adelaide have helped to detect hundreds of minor leaks.
”This new satellite technology trial will hopefully help the crews fix a fault before it becomes a bigger issue, saving time and money in future repairs.”
The government said that more than 250 leaks had been detected in advance in the past 12 months, minimising negative effects on the community.
South Australia is experiencing drier-than-average conditions, which are predicted to cause an increase in water main issues this year.
In addition to the satellite trial and smart networks, SA Water has extra crews ready to manage the predicted increase in issues.
Members of the public are encouraged to report leaks to SA Water through its website.
