Dubai: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has disclosed that the Smart Ball technology it uses to identify leaks in water transmission subterranean pipelines has produced notable results.
These are usually difficult to detect using traditional leak noise logging techniques due to depth. Since its utilisation in April 2021 and until the end of 2022, the Smart Ball technology detected 43 leaks in the water transmission network in Dubai, saving 130 million imperial gallons (MIG) of water and $1.4 million.
The Smart Ball system consists of a small diameter sphere with a highly sensitive acoustic sensor, that is inserted into the water network, where it travels freely, driven by the water flow. It detects sounds generated by leaks and identifies gas pockets or anomalies, which have unique characteristics.
Once the Smart Ball is extracted, the compiled data is analysed by software using mathematical algorithms showing the precise location of leaks, gas pockets, or anomalies. The Smart Ball travels freely inside the transmission pipes at around 3 kilometres per hour and can inspect over 35 kilometres in one day without affecting the water flow.
“We attach great importance to enhancing efficiency in all our operations by using the latest disruptive technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution applications in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and water to provide our services according to the highest standards of quality, availability, reliability, and efficiency. In addition to ensuring around-the-clock water supply and early detection of leaks to reduce wastage, the Smart Ball technology contributes to reducing losses in water transmission and distribution networks which is currently 4.5 percent currently, one of the lowest worldwide,” stated Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.