Yorkshire Water has begun a project to add smart technology to a wastewater network with the aim of reducing blockages, stopping flooding and preventing pollution incidents.
The project in Holbeck will map and examine the condition of the sewer network through surveys of the sewers, soil vent pipes and road gullies over three months.
Following the surveys, sensors will be added in the network to provide real-time data to enable the company to identify and take action on any potential problems before they cause any impacts on customers or the environment.
Thomas Ogden, waste networks technical specialist at Yorkshire said: “This project will increase our understanding of the sewer network from toilets to treatment works and help us better understand the impact rainfall has on the sewers in Holbeck.
“The data we capture will help us take the right action in the right place and at the right time, reducing the likelihood of customers being impacted by restricted toilet use or localised flooding. The ultimate aim is to create a smart network in the area to enable real-time monitoring, live modelling of the sewers and increase the control we have over the way our network operates,” Ogden added.
The company has previously added smart technology to its supply network in Sheffield to identify pipe degradation and locate potential leaks. The company is also rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor 2,000 combined sewer overflows (CSOs) as part of its work to reduce pollution incidents.
Yorkshire will work with IETG, which is the company’s flow monitoring service partner for AMP7, to conduct the surveys in the Holbeck area.