APEM has completed detailed aerial surveys of over 350 km of water supply pipes across two networks belonging to Scottish Water.
More than 25,000 high resolution images were captured across a 500m wide corridor along the networks using APEM’s flagship Leica RCD-30 camera system, mounted in one of the company’s specialist survey aircraft.
Scottish Water is using the images for a number of purposes, from planning sites visits to searching for leaking pipes.
Remote sensing scientists at APEM processed the images to generate a three dimensional model of the terrain, along with highly detailed georeferenced imagery, which Scottish Water is now using to help assess site safety and access, and to plan work.
The imagery was also analysed for pipe leakage detection, using the camera system’s unique ability to collect data in the near-infrared part of the spectrum as well as in colour.
APEM’s project manager, Mark Wilkins, explained:
By capturing images in near-infrared our analysts are able to see where along the pipe route the vegetation is growing particularly vigorously. This may indicate the presence of additional water, which may in turn mean that the water pipe has sprung a leak in that area.
Scottish Water has been forward thinking in the approach to pipe management and understands that aerial surveys can help with the efficient management of the pipe network for years to come.
The images and digital model will additionally be used as a digital reference database of the pipe route.
Staff from APEM and the National Museum of Scotland have surveyed almost 100 lagoons and potential lagoons in Scotland’s Western Isles
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