Revolutionising Pipeline Mapping: WRc's Innovative Solutions for Accurate Infrastructure Planning

Although digitised records for most water company pipelines (water mains, pumped or gravity sewer) exist, these records are often not sufficiently accurate to be used when planning and executing works that involve groundwork near these assets.

WRc has a seen a significant increase in business to map the route and elevation of buried pipelines. Using the Sahara Pipeline inspection system we are able to quickly locate and identify the depth of most pipelines. In addition, an enhancement of our proprietary locating sonde allows detection and mapping of the route of pipelines at depths of up to 20m.

Recent surveys have included establishing the location of rising mains under the route of HS2, under the M4 motorway and adjacent to a railway in Ireland. In some cases the survey was able to establish the route and depth within an hour or so of starting work – where previous investigations had taken several months and failed to find the pipeline. Several surveys of deep sewers (10-15 metres deep) have been carried out to confirm their location prior to installation of piles near the sewer route.

WRc is able to coordinate with water companies, construction companies and private individuals as they look to ensure that risk to buried assets is minimised during any construction work – from a new high speed railway to a small house extension.