Utilities group gets smart over leaks

London — United Utilities has started to employ an innovative intelligent membrane waterproofing system to detect leaks at its reservoirs across the UK.

The Hylam IQ system from DRC Polymers has already been installed at two of the company’s reservoirs in Cheshire and Cumbria. Work on a third installation — at Huntington water treatment works, near Chester — is close to completion.

Hylam IQ contains a network of sensors to pinpoint minute leaks to within 3m” and could save the water industry millions of pounds, claims Cambridge-based DRC. “By detecting leaks electronically, Hylam IQ eradicates the need for manual service checks and the costly disruption they create,” said Ken Bray, managing director of the membrane company.

United Utilities, which employs over 17,000, was created from the merger of North West Water and Norweb in 1995. Its principal activities are managing and operating the regulated electricity distribution, water and wastewater networks in north west England.