Acoustic analysis helps protect a high-risk asset

A collaboration between Scottish Water and water solutions provider Xylem has resulted in the efficient monitoring of a high-risk asset — and has netted a prestigious UK Water Industry Award.

The Blairlinnans water main is a 42″ (1067 mm) pre-stressed concrete (PSC) pipeline that runs for 16 km from the Blairlinnans Water Treatment Works to a service reservoir in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Installed in 1974, the pipeline is critical to the ongoing operation of Scottish Water’s supply network.

After Scottish Water identified the main as a high-risk asset, a complete engineering assessment was undertaken to understand its true condition and prevent an unexpected burst.

Inspections using Xylem’s SmartBall and PipeDiver technologies provided the data necessary to conduct a thorough engineering analysis. The analysis revealed that while most of the pipeline was in good condition, several sections had broken pre-stressed wires, which are crucial to support operational pressures. If these wires break, a trunk main can lose its structural integrity, with a risk of failure.

To address this issue, Scottish Water selected Xylem’s SoundPrint Acoustic Fibre Optic (AFO) system to continually monitor sections of the pipeline. SoundPrint AFO detects breaks in the pre-stressing wire that hold PSC pipelines together.

“Replacement of major pipelines is often cost-prohibitive, extremely complex and causes major disruption; however, it is rare that the entire pipeline needs to be replaced,” said Ian Dunsmore, team leader – strategic water infrastructure at Scottish Water.

Image courtesy of Xylem.

The SoundPrint AFO system works by feeding bundled, reinforced fibre-optic cable through the water main. This is connected to a data acquisition system that monitors the acoustic activity in near real time. If a wire break occurs, it is detected by the AFO system, which is connected to Xylem’s AFO analysts via the cellular network.

Wire break events are investigated by the analysts and, with the help of machine learning, the break location is pinpointed. An email notification is then sent to the customer and the results posted on a cloud-based system, which displays the pipeline status on colour-coded dashboards.

The monitoring, combined with further analysis by Xylem’s engineering service, enables utilities to make proactive decisions about which sections of pipe need to be replaced or repaired as deterioration continues over time.

“Leveraging Xylem’s AFO system and engineering experience enabled us to understand the true condition of the Blairlinnans water main at a single point in time and have confidence that the pipeline is being continuously monitored for any further deterioration,” Dunsmore said. “It is great news that the success of this joint initiative has been recognised by the sector.”

Andrew Welsh, water utility director at Xylem, said that Xylem was extremely proud that the innovative partnership with Scottish Water had been recognised by the Water Industry Awards, with the Blairlinnans SoundPrint Acoustic Fibre Optic System named 2024 Asset Management Initiative of the Year.

“The AFO system has enabled Scottish Water to reduce the risk of failure by pre-emptively repairing areas known to be in poor condition, make significant cost savings by extending the life of remaining pipe sections and minimise disruptions to customers, while maintaining the utility’s reputation as a forward-thinking, reliable service provider,” he said.

Top image caption: Scottish Water and Xylem at the 2024 Water Industry Awards. Image courtesy of Xylem.