Panton McLeod remote controlled submarine inspects Scottish Water service reservoir

(20/11/2008)

Scottish Water has been using the latest underwater inspection technology to ensure its customers in Inverness get the purest possible supplies at the tap.

The company has been working together with Panton McLeod to safeguard its largest service reservoir in Inverness which supplies thousands of homes and businesses. The facility is one of a network of tanks and towers, often hidden from public view, that are involved in delivering drinking water to millions of homes and businesses across the UK.

Despite being out of sight the large water containers have to be maintained to the highest standard. Traditionally they could only be properly inspected if they were emptied to allow experts inside - a time-consuming and costly process with a risk of leaving customers without water for short periods.

Scottish Water teamed up with Borders-based Panton McLeod to carry out an inspection using specially-designed remote controlled submarines – while the tank remained in supply.

It used a mini-sub – or ROV unit - to carry out a detailed internal inspection of the Loch Ashie service reservoir in Inverness, which is the main holding tank for Inverness water treatment works and supplies 28 million litres a day to the city of Inverness and surrounding communities of Dores, North Kessock and Nairnshire.

By using the mini-sub, Panton McLeod were able to inspect the tank without any need to take it out of service or with any risk of interrupting supplies to customer.

John Robins, Scottish Water’s team manager for the Inverness area, said: "We're pleased with the success of this important piece of maintenance. It ensures we can continue to supply Inverness & Nairn with clear, fresh drinking water 24/7. The use of submarine technology was brilliant, as it helped keep disruption to an absolute minimum."

The sophisticated inspection sub is fitted with powerful lights and cameras which allow experts to assess the walls and floor, as well as the pipework, valves and other parts of the structure. It also checks for build-up of floor sediment or discolouration of walls – while both are harmless, they can have an aesthetic impact by causing the water to look cloudy.

Having such a detailed inspection allows Scottish Water to carefully plan when best to shut and drain a tank for routine cleaning or remedial works. The mine sub also took samples from the floor of tank for lab testing after Panton McLeod’s engineers developed a special suction nozzle, attached to a grabbing arm.

Paul Henderson, operations director with Panton McLeod, said: “Scottish Water’s main priority is delivering the clearest, freshest drinking water possible and it looks for innovative ways to safeguard those supplies. We are delighted they used our ROV to give the Inverness facility a clean bill of health. Not only does it give peace of mind, it makes excellent business sense, by minimising possible inconvenience for customers, while saving time and money.

“We have huge experience using the ROV for inspections and cleaning projects, but the sampling is a more recent development. We are delighted it worked flawlessly in this case. We now intend to make this an integral part of our ROV service.”

Panton McLeod has perfected a meticulous treatment and decontamination regime which allows the sub to be safely used in the public water supply. Rigorous tests of the equipment are also carried out before and after each inspection.

Related categories:  Consultancy services   Testing devices   Water treatment