Anglian Water has implemented Ovarro’s advanced data-driven early-warning technology across all rising main sewers, enabling the detection of bursts and blockages before they lead to serious pollution.
Anglian Water’s Commitment to Pollution Reduction
In its 2025-2030 draft business plan, Anglian Water commits to eliminating serious pollution and reducing overall pollution incidents by 40%. This strategy incorporates the use of machine learning.
AI-Powered Monitoring Systems
In spring 2022, Anglian Water became the first utility to adopt Ovarro’s AI-led BurstDetect system, which uses machine learning to identify rising main sewer bursts before pollution occurs. Following this, they also deployed BlockageDetect, which analyzes data from the same assets to alert operators to sewer blockages.
In February 2024, Anglian Water adopted PumpInsight, another AI-based platform from Ovarro. This system monitors telemetered pumping stations, detects performance issues, and supports predictive pump maintenance.
The collaboration between Anglian Water and Ovarro’s PumpInsight project has been shortlisted for the asset management initiative of the year at the Water Industry Awards 2024, scheduled for July 4 in Birmingham.
Proactive Decision-Making
Investment in Proactive Monitoring
Water companies in England and Wales are set to launch a major investment program from 2025-2030, focusing on reducing sewage spills and pollution, particularly from rising main sewer bursts. Rising mains are high-risk, pressurized pipes that transport wastewater from pumping stations to treatment works. If they burst, the rapid release of wastewater can cause significant environmental damage.
Historically, utilities have relied on the public to report bursts and leaks due to technical and logistical challenges in monitoring. This reactive approach often meant it was too late to mitigate the impact. However, advancements in technology now enable proactive network monitoring to reduce pollution events. Asset management plans for 2025-2030 (AMP8) emphasize the adoption of new tools that support preventative decision-making.
Unique Algorithms for Pollution Prevention
BurstDetect and BlockageDetect Technologies
BurstDetect and BlockageDetect are cloud-based platforms that use unique algorithms to detect rising main bursts and blockages. These systems analyze existing data from wastewater pumping stations, such as filling and emptying times of a wet well relative to the pumps, and identify deviations from normal behavior. If the data indicates a potential issue, an alert is sent to operators for early intervention.
These technologies can be applied to nearly all pumping stations, even those with basic pump status monitoring, requiring no additional hardware and ensuring 100% network coverage. In 2022, Ovarro’s systems helped Anglian Water detect 50 bursts on rising mains, preventing pollution incidents each time. To date, over 2,000 alerts have been generated with an accuracy rate of around 70%. Insights from these systems have also informed a rehabilitation program for 42 rising main sewers.
Advanced Pump Monitoring with PumpInsight
Benefits of PumpInsight
Ovarro’s PumpInsight platform, leveraging the same advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, monitors pump efficiency changes over time, analyzes data anomalies, and tracks performance trends. This enables proactive maintenance strategies, significantly reducing the risk of unplanned pump failures and associated environmental pollution incidents.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Paul Louth, head of water recycling networks at Anglian Water, stated:
“BurstDetect and BlockageDetect have successfully identified rising main incidents, supporting our goal to eliminate serious pollution events. The self-learning capabilities of these solutions enable continuous improvement in alert accuracy and operational response, preventing significant impact. Our trial of PumpInsight has been very successful, giving us confidence in its continued use. Integrating these smart technologies with our standard practices helps us move from reactive to preventative approaches.”
Gavin Russell, regional manager at Ovarro, added:
“Our suite of proactive wastewater solutions – BurstDetect, BlockageDetect, and PumpInsight – was developed in collaboration with UK water companies to address the challenge of reducing pollution sustainably and cost-effectively. Anglian Water’s adoption of our AI-driven solutions demonstrates their commitment to innovation and machine learning in achieving their pollution reduction goals.”
By embracing these advanced technologies, Anglian Water is setting a benchmark for proactive pollution management and operational efficiency in the water industry.