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Discolouration Investigation Services

Market-leading investigation of discolouration risk in trunk main and distribution systems.

Dr Dominic Cook is our expert in Discolouration Investigations

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Trunk main discolouration investigations

WRc provides assessments of trunk main discolouration risk, for entire water supply systems down to individual pipes, based on PODDS (Prediction Of Discolouration in Distribution Systems) developed by the University of Sheffield.

Desk-based assessments can be followed up with field quantification of discolouration risk to determine safe operating flow rates for the main.

Trunk main conditioning can be designed to increase the operational flow envelope and reduce overall discolouration risk and increase capacity.

This is crucial when taking assets out of supply or planning for demand increases.

    Distribution system discolouration risk

    WRc provides detailed discolouration assessments of problem DMAs - those which experience continued discolouration events or water quality failures, despite extensive investigation and costly mains replacement programs.

    Our process includes an in-depth desk top investigation process using existing GIS records, burst history, hydraulic modelling, and irregular flow events. This initial information is then validated and quantified by field investigation operations uncover the root cause of the discolouration issue.

    WRc can deploy several field investigation techniques, including:

    • Turbidity Monitoring
    • Water Quality Sampling
    • Smart Flushing
    • Camera Surveys

      The problem may be as simple a corroded valve, or an unlined section of main in a busy road junction. However large or small the source is, WRc will find it and advise on the best practice, least cost, sustainable solution.

        Target sources of discolouration

        The customer contact is only an indication of where the material ended up, not where it came from. WRc can accurately identify the source of discolouration.

        Reduce costs of capital solutions

        We can accurately pinpoint specific pipe lengths for rehabilitation or recommend operational solutions instead to minimise the cost of discolouration mitigation.

        Increase resilience of trunk mains

        Trunk main conditioning is low cost, non-invasive and increases resilience to unexpected events or planned network activity.

        Smart Flushing... not just flushing!

        Smart flushing is used to gather vital information about the condition of a pipe. The cleaning effect is an added bonus!

        Download our free flyer

        Find out more about our water quality investigations at both Trunk Main and District Meter Area (DMA) scales, including Smart Flushing.

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          If you would like more information about any of our products or services, or have a question please don't hesitate to get in touch. One of our friendly team will get back to you promptly.

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          Dr Dominic Cook

          Head of Business Development (WRc Infrastructure)

          Dr Dominic Cook is a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager with over 18 years experience in clean water distribution, gained from working for water companies, consultancies and academia. Dominic’s main areas of expertise lie in distribution water quality, discolouration, asset management and pipe condition assessment. Dominic is Head of Business Development within WRc’s Technical Services division looking to expand new and innovative network risk assessment tools to our clients.

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