Water companies can use existing systems for efficiencies, report

Water companies can gain quick and simple improvements in network efficiency and reduction in non-revenue water using the existing systems, according to a report published by water flow control solutions provider TALIS.

Titled ‘Bringing Pressure Under Control’, the new report emphasises that the companies need not have to invest in innovative and expensive, ‘smart-tech’ systems and can still harness the potential of their existing capabilities.

Using common-place components such as control valves, the companies can quickly realise improvements and savings as well as meet performance targets in the most cost-effective way.

TALIS product strategy director Herve Dumont said: “Control valves are an elegantly simple solution to control water pressure, flow and levels, that have been in use for over 80 years.

“Despite their simplicity, each device has the potential to provide thousands of functions to help improve the management and control of water networks. Crucially, this function can be altered by changing the pilot device (either its settings or the device itself) rather than the valve. Meaning network control can be adapted quickly and with minimum disruption or cost.

“These autonomous devices run 24 hours a day to deliver this control across the network. Their effectiveness makes control valves a very powerful tool for supporting water network management and efficiency. The original ‘smart’ water network – if used properly and as part of clear strategy.”

Leveraging control valves across a network for improved pressure regulation, the water firms can boost network effectiveness by 5% in the case of one network, cut emergency interventions by 60%.

Additionally, they can slash the amount of water lost through leakages through better pressure control as they can achieve 30% reduction in leakages for every two bar reduction in the initial pressure used.

Dumont further added that taking a fresh look at control valves should be top priority for any water company.