Pressure Management - SME Water Ltd

Pressure management has traditionally been seen as a highly effective solution, delivering quick wins for reducing leakage, and there are many great examples across the UK of pressure reducing valves delivering an excellent return on investment. Typically, these valves can significantly reduce the overall pressure in a network as well as delivering a calmer profile. Both of these effects work to reduce the number of bursts occurring as well as reducing flow rates for existing bursts and background leakage.

However, with 2018 and 2020 seeing some of largest peak demands on recent record, many of the schemes installed in the UK are increasingly being challenged by frequent summer demand events. During these events the operation of our pressure reducing valves can come under increasing scrutiny as head losses increase and overall network pressures drop.

So, as an industry, how can we ensure we deliver a suitable pressure to our customers whilst achieving ever increasing leakage targets?

Pressure Management

Whole network analysis

By combining GIS data with existing flow and pressure monitoring we can build up an understanding of the available pressures at each property on the network and identify those areas with the greatest opportunity to reduce excess pressures and calm the network, all while maintaining a generous level of service

Robust benefits calculation

Having worked closely with UK clients to develop a robust cost benefit analysis model, we can give reliable predictions of the reduction in burst flow, overall burst count and active leakage control effort, which can be achieved through installing new, or modifying existing pressure reducing valves.

Pressure Management

Strategic oversight

We work closely with our clients’ local experts to combine their experience and understanding with our analytics platform. This enables us to identify opportunities for the optimisation of existing schemes, and the implementation of new schemes, including larger strategic opportunities.

Client testimonials

We love working with companies to identify and overcome their current data challenges and make their job simpler. Discover what our current and past clients have to say about working with SME Water.

“The project outputs are exactly what I wanted. You’ve succeeded in identifying opportunities in Cambridge where other companies have failed, and I’m looking forward to implementing the schemes.”

James Curtis - South Staffs Water

The benefits of
Pressure Management

Why worry about pressure management? We’ve listed out a few of the particular benefits you can expect to look forward to.

Reduced leakage

Reducing pressure on your network will reduce the flow of any leakage occurring, saving you water.

Optimised solutions

Ensure your expensive intelligent control solutions are in the right place using transparent cost benefit analysis.

Reduced bursts

Calmer networks and lower pressures result in fewer bursts, reducing interruptions to customers.

Risk management

Analysis using historical peak demand data identifies areas which will be at risk during demand events.

Reduced ALC

By reducing your natural rate of rise in areas, you can maintain leakage targets with fewer interventions.

Continued monitoring

With clear designs in place for areas, scheme monitoring can be implemented to identify when things start to drift.

Interested in working with us?

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