A North East water company is using a first-of-its-kind solution to tackle leaks across the region, without the need for any digging or excavation.
Over the last year, Northumbrian Water has been further developing and testing a technology called ‘No Dig’ – involving a gel and mineral-based solution which is completely safe and allows leaking water pipes to ‘self-heal’.
It was first developed in partnership with Gateshead-based tech firm, Origin Tech, in 2021 and unveiled at Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival in 2022.
Now, it’s changing the way the water company works, with the firm starting to use it on real leaks across the North East, and a view to deploy it officially as one of its methods of leak repair where possible by the end of the year.
It’s a win-win for Northumbrian Water and its customers, with the clever solution increasing the speed at which the firm can repair pipes and save precious water, while reducing the need to dig up roads and pavements, lowering the disruption for customers and motorists.
The non-toxic solution, made from water, gel and minerals, is injected into the network in the approximate location of a leak. It then works by travelling along the pipe until it reaches the crack or hole, where it then interacts with it, immediately forming a plug around the hole and blocking the leak.
Jim Howey, Northumbrian Water’s Head of Water Networks, said:
“We’ve carried out many successful trials now with No Dig over this last year and we’re really starting to see the enormous benefits this technology can have for both us as a company, and also for our customers.
“In fact, we think this technology is a game changer for water industry as a whole and we’re very excited to be leading the way with it.
“We’re continuing to develop the technology in partnership with Origin, and we’re seeing it go from strength to strength. It’s dramatically cutting down the time it takes for us to repair leaks and reduce the disruption for our customers, and we’re looking forward to rolling it out region-wide for real by the end of the year.”
John Marsden, Commercial Director at Origin Tech, said:
“When we first approached the water industry with our technology it was received with mixed reaction.
“Northumbrian Water took the risk to back us and now we are fixing water leaks quicker and without the disruptions associated with finding and digging up the leaks.
“We are confident that by working in partnership with Northumbrian Water this technology is an real enabler in significantly driving down leakage across the region.”
