SUEZ and ASTERRA join forces to deliver peak performance with satellite surveillance for wastewater networks

SUEZ and ASTERRA’s new satellite surveillance solution improves wastewater leak detection, leading to better wastewater management and environmental protection.

SUEZ, leader in circular and digital solutions in waste and water services, partners with ASTERRA, global leader in satellite-based solutions, to enhance their advanced joint offering in the UK with the introduction of satellite surveillance for leak detection in wastewater networks.

Robust surveillance of wastewater networks is crucial in environmental protection, particularly in safeguarding water resources and meeting regulations. Constant and accurate monitoring of wastewater impacts is essential for both water utilities and regulatory entities.

SUEZ and technology partner ASTERRA have a proven history of successful satellite leakage detection service for water utilities in the UK and this wastewater leak detection solution further leverages this track record by revolutionising the leak detection landscape.

The patented satellite surveillance technology provided by SUEZ and ASTERRA, which uses L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to detect the unique signature of wastewater from space, covers extensive land areas to identify potential leaks. Thanks to the Geographic Information System (GIS) files overlaid with the satellite scans, the solution pinpoints potential leak locations and enables immediate investigation and repair by sending alerts on the water utilities’ field crew mobile devices, allowing for a more proactive management approach.

Multiple scans with exceptional precision equip water utilities with a detailed view of pipe conditions, enabling operators to prioritise maintenance and allocate resources efficiently using computer algorithms and Artificial Intelligence. Apart from scoring pipe segments showing signs of subsurface leaks, the technology also identifies leak location clusters, enabling efficient maintenance tasks.

Satellite surveillance in wastewater management offers a range of key benefits. It prioritises pipes for replacement and rehabilitation, preventing resources in vulnerable areas and neighbourhoods. Moreover, it mitigates sewer overflows, minimising the negative impact on bathing waters. This comprehensive solution aligns with regulatory compliance, highlighting its importance in improving wastewater management and protecting the environment.

"Coming on the heels of our success in satellite leakage detection in drinking water networks for water utilities in the UK, with more than 260,000 km of pipes scanned and 83 million litres of water saved daily, we are excited to bring our customer one more innovative and efficient solution for water preservation. It is a non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable solution that enables problem spots in sewer networks to be identified quickly and accurately, even in hard-to-reach areas," said Mitch Donnelly, Managing Director of SUEZ Digital Solutions UK.

ASTERRA representative, Conor Foxall, stated: "We are proud to be able to help UK water utilities with their focus on wastewater leakage and make a positive impact on the environment."