Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) utilises innovation and the latest disruptive technologies in detecting leaks in the water transmission underground pipelines.
This helped DEWA save 243 million gallons of water and AED 9.66 million in 2023. DEWA’s Smart Ball technology detects leaks that are usually difficult to detect using traditional techniques. Since its utilisation in April 2021 and until the end of 2023, the Smart Ball technology detected 81 leaks in the water transmission network in Dubai.
This technology reduces operational expenses, as small cracks in the water transmission pipelines are treated before they increase in size and cause further water wastage.
"DEWA employs cutting-edge technologies such as AI, drones, and blockchain in its smart grid operations for efficient water resource management. The use of SCADA systems, now in its third phase, allows remote monitoring and control of Dubai's extensive water network, spanning pipelines, pumping stations, and reservoirs over 3,000 kilometers. Over 10,000 smart devices have been deployed, enabling real-time hydraulic modeling and enhancing digital transformation efforts."
said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.
“The Smart Ball system consists of a small diameter sphere with a highly sensitive acoustic sensor, that is inserted into the water network, where it travels freely, driven by the water flow. It detects sounds generated by leaks and identifies gas pockets or anomalies, which have unique characteristics. Once the Smart Ball is extracted, the compiled data is analysed by software using mathematical algorithms showing the precise location of leaks, gas pockets, or anomalies.
The Smart Ball travels freely inside the transmission pipes at around 3 kilometres per hour and can inspect over 35 kilometres in one day without affecting the water flow,”
said Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water & Civil at DEWA.
DEWA has achieved competitive results that surpass prominent European and American companies in terms of efficiency and reliability. In 2022, water network losses were reduced to 4.5% compared to around 15% in North America.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
