Challenge
In March 2025, Scottish Water needed to inspect a 29.2km cast iron raw water pipeline between Baddinsgill and Pateshill near Edinburgh. The DN600 pipe was gravity-fed and its remote location made traditional leak detection difficult due to limited access and lack of consistent monitoring points.
Solution
Hydrosave was contracted by Scottish Water to conduct internal inspections on the pipeline. To deliver the best results, we partnered with Aganova, a leader in leak detection technology, using its proprietary Nautilus sphere solution.
Key features
- The state-of-the-art 70mm Nautilus sphere moves with the water flow and collects acoustic and pressure data.
- The sphere uses cutting edge sensors and AI-driven analysis to detect leaks, air pockets and structural abnormalities with high accuracy.
- Timed acoustic devices, known as synchronisers, were placed along the pipeline to help pinpoint incidents to the nearest centimetre.
Four consecutive inspections took place over a four-day period, covering the full length of pipeline, and were carried out under controlled hydraulic conditions.
What did the inspections involve?
- Preparation: We conducted an initial pre-inspection, gathering system information and transferring data to Aganova for detailed planning.
- Inspection: We performed the inspection at a working flow rate of approximately 183 litres per second. Insertion and retrieval of Nautilus was carried out through DN150 gate valves, enabling full access without service disruption.
- Extraction and disassembly: After each 4–5-hour inspection, Nautilus was recovered and disassembled to extract the recorded data for analysis.
- Data analysis: All data collected was processed and analysed through Aganova’s Nemo digital platform, generating detailed incident maps and hydraulic profiles.
Results
The inspections were successfully completed, with a total of 20 incidents recorded and categorised according to severity, including:
Ten leaks:
- two major (urgent repair needed)
- three medium (to be repaired or monitored)
- five minor (to be monitored)
Eight air pockets:
- three significant (recommend air valve assessment)
- five minor (monitoring only)
Two unknown anomalies
- (non-critical, further investigation planned)
Conclusion
This project demonstrated the value of innovative, non-invasive technology for pipeline inspection. Through the partnership between Hydrosave, Aganova and George Leslie, Scottish Water received detailed, accurate data to support maintenance planning, long-term asset management and risk reduction, all without disrupting service.