UAS adapted for water leak detection Photo: Arad
An Israeli company, Arad Technologies, a world leader in wireless automatic meter reading systems, has recently developed a two pound Unmanned Aircraft that can travel 900 feet above ground and detect water leaks. It can collect data from water meters every 11 to 30 seconds and capture readings of a whole city in less than one hour.
Arad is already deploying its UAS to the UK, India and the U.S. In the U.S. only, a 2009 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers showed that seven billion gallons of water are lost due to leaky pipes daily. Arad’s UAS serves as an alternative to instant water metering in neighbourhoods where other types of automatic water measuring are too expensive or difficult to implement.
In Arad’s meter readings, an unusual but steady flow indicates a leak, while an unusually high rate can be a sign of water being stolen. The findings are then sent to repair departments of both private and public water companies, who send a crew out to repair the leak.
For more information, read the full story in No Camels