A new approach to water management
An eye in the sky offers a more complete understanding of water infrastructure.
We work with multiple water authorities and utility providers to improve inspection quality, efficiency, and safety. and utility providers to improve inspection quality, efficiency, and safety.
Time and Cost Efficiencies
Traditional methods for water infrastructure inspection often require a lot of field resources and time. Even more so for large and complex structures such as dikes, water treatment works, and coastal areas. Drones provide a much more efficient solution that can be up to ten times faster than manual efforts. This reduces operating expenses and allows resources to be better allocated to issue investigation and resolution.
Preventive Maintenance
While some defects are easy to spot, others can go undetected for months or even years. Damages like water leaks or subterranean voids in dykes can prove very costly and dangerous if left unchecked. Advanced sensor technologies are powerful predictive and preventive maintenance tools that can help identify problems early on. Emergency repairs can be avoided and issues can be addressed during routine maintenance.
Accuracy and Detail
Aerial technologies like LiDAR and Photogrammetry deliver a level of accuracy and detail that goes far beyond manual methods. Extensive 2D maps and 3D models provide complete asset knowledge and details hard-to-reach areas that are otherwise dangerous or difficult to inspect. These visual reconstructions help to streamline communication and all future planning needs.
Technologies suitable for water management
LiDAR
LiDAR can detect the tiniest objects that are otherwise invisible for the naked eye. It also allows for accurate digital terrain models for areas covered by trees or vegetation. This means that all forms of vegetation can be digitally removed in order to reveal the underlying surface of a dyke.
Photogrammetry
Areal photogrammetry is very useful for visual assessment. It captures high-quality images, videos, 2D orthomosiacs and 3D models to see the bigger picture.
Thermal
Thermal sensor help to identify hidden damages. In the context of water management, areal thermal images help to better understand the extent of water leakage.
Ground Penetrating Radar
With the help of Ground Penetrating Radar, it is possible to better understand the extent of subterranean voiding. This can be very useful to detect subterranean voiding in dykes. Drones mounted with GPR make for a much faster, cost-efficient, and effective solution – one that does not comprise the safety of the staff involved.
Case studies in water management
How Hunze en Aa's is using drones and AI in their battle against the infamous muskrat.
Subterranean voiding is one of the biggest problems that Dutch water boards are struggling with on a daily basis. Many of the Dutch dykes are home to various kinds of animal, such as rabbits, moles and muskrats. The muskrat in particular is a true digger and can create long reaching tunnels beneath the dyke in record times. In some cases, this can cause the dyke to collapse.
The Next Step
A safer, faster and more cost-efficient approach to inspection and rich-data collection is just one step away. Let’s get in touch!
