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Getting ready for the new bathing water season
APEM use innovative and cost-effective techniques to map misconnected wastewater pipes using ultra-high resolution digital aerial surveys.
Misconnections can cause water pollution and contribute to a failure to meet targets for bathing waters quality or the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Misconnections are a widespread problem for many water companies. They occur when water drains are wrongly connected, directing surface or foul water into the wrong sewer system.
They can lead to problems such as the flooding of sewage treatment works during heavy rain and foul water from domestic appliances flowing into rivers and streams.
As the locations of many misconnections are unknown, APEM have devised a unique and cost-effective method for mapping them, allowing water companies to locate and measure the problem in their region quickly.
APEM use ultra-high resolution cameras fitted to specialist survey aircraft to carry out digital aerial surveys covering large areas, including towns and cities. Analysis of the imagery by our expert image analysts allows us to identify and geotag any buildings with misconnected pipework, such as foul-to-surface or surface-to-foul drains.
The surveys are quick and therefore cost-effective: a town of 100,000 homes can be captured in around two to three hours. The data from the surveys can then be used to target the misconnected homes for leaflet drops and visits by ground teams, improving efficiency and supporting customers.
Homeowners can then be educated and encouraged to fix the misconnected pipes, reducing pollution to local streams and coasts.
The team at APEM would be happy to answer any questions you have about mapping, surveying and image analysis. Please use the form below to get in touch.
Read one of APEM’s blogs, news articles or case studies to find out more.
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