Flow Surveys UK | Pipeline Monitoring & Analysis
What is a Flow Survey?
A flow survey measures the rate and velocity of water or effluent flowing through pipelines. It helps assess pipeline performance and identify potential issues such as leaks or blockages.
Understanding exactly how water or effluent is moving through your pipeline network is critical for efficiency, compliance, and asset management.
Pipe Testing Services (PTS) provides expert flow survey and pipeline monitoring services across the UK, delivering accurate, reliable data to optimise performance and proactively identify potential network issues. With over 30 years of industry experience, we support water utilities, industrial clients, and environmental services in managing their critical pipeline infrastructure effectively.
Why Flow Surveys Matter
Flow surveys are essential diagnostic tools for any organisation managing pipeline networks. Gathering precise data on flow rates, velocity, and depth provides invaluable insights into how well your system is functioning day-to-day. This information allows you to move beyond assumptions and make data-driven decisions.
Understanding actual flow conditions helps identify potential issues like hidden blockages, capacity constraints, or unexpected infiltration before they escalate into critical failures. Furthermore, analysing flow patterns, especially minimum night flows, is a key technique for indicating areas suffering from significant leakage, guiding more targeted investigations using direct leak detection methods. Ultimately, flow surveys empower you to optimise pipeline performance, ensure you meet regulatory compliance standards, and implement sustainable water management practices by quantifying usage and loss.
Our Flow Surveys
Process
At PTS, we follow a structured and systematic approach to flow surveys, ensuring accurate data collection tailored to your specific project objectives.
- Initial Consultation & Planning: We begin by discussing your project’s specific needs and requirements. Whether it's short-term monitoring for a specific concern, long-term assessments for network management, hydraulic model calibration, or compliance verification, we tailor our services and plan the optimal monitoring locations and duration.
- Advanced Data Collection: Our experienced field technicians deploy state-of-the-art monitoring equipment selected for your specific conditions. We commonly utilise Area-Velocity Flow Meters (e.g., ADFM technology) for accurate measurement in various pipe sizes and conditions, alongside secure telemetry data loggers for remote data transmission, reducing site visits for long-term surveys. Where relevant, we also integrate data from local rain gauges to assess stormwater impact.
- Data Validation & Analysis: Collected data undergoes rigorous quality checks. Our engineers then conduct an in-depth analysis, examining flow patterns, diurnal curves, minimum night flows, and rainfall responses to extract meaningful insights related to your objectives.
- Reporting and Recommendations: We provide a comprehensive report detailing the methodology, validated data, performance analysis, and clear, actionable recommendations. Our team works closely with you to interpret the findings and develop a plan for any required corrective actions or further investigations, such as CCTV pipeline inspection.
Applications of Flow Surveys
The insights gained from flow surveys are valuable across a wide range of sectors managing water or effluent. In water and wastewater management, our surveys are vital for monitoring sewer network performance, managing combined sewer overflows (CSOs), assessing leakage in potable water systems, and conducting inflow & infiltration studies.
Environmental services and agencies rely on flow data for river gauging, stormwater control projects, and monitoring discharges to protect sensitive ecosystems. Industrial manufacturing plants utilise flow surveys to monitor trade effluent, ensuring compliance with discharge consents and optimising water usage. Additionally, the energy and utilities sector benefits from flow data for managing large water distribution networks and cooling systems, while facilities managers can use it to assess the efficiency of large HVAC systems.
Advanced Technology for Flow Surveys
To ensure precise and reliable data collection, PTS invests in cutting-edge monitoring technologies. Our use of Area-Velocity Doppler Flow Meters (ADFM) allows for accurate measurement even in partially full pipes or channels, common in sewer and effluent systems. For remote or long-term monitoring, telemetry data loggers provide secure, automated data transmission, improving efficiency and data accessibility.
Where necessary, we integrate this flow data with hydraulic modelling software, enabling sophisticated analysis and prediction of network behaviour under different conditions. Incorporating data from rain gauges is also crucial in many studies, allowing us to accurately correlate flow responses with rainfall events for a complete understanding of system dynamics.
Benefits of Choosing
Pipe Testing Services
Partnering with Pipe Testing Services for your flow survey requirements offers distinct advantages grounded in our experience and commitment to quality. Our state-of-the-art technology, including ADFM meters and telemetry systems, ensures you receive precise, reliable data that forms a solid basis for critical decision-making. This focus on accuracy helps identify potential issues early, allowing for targeted interventions that are often more cost-effective than dealing with major failures, ultimately saving you money on repairs and reducing downtime.
Our nationwide coverage means we can deliver efficient and consistent service across the UK, regardless of your project’s location. We pride ourselves on a customised approach, tailoring the survey methodology and reporting to meet your unique objectives.
We also focus on sustainability, helping you reduce water waste and minimise environmental impact through better network understanding and management. Trust PTS for dependable flow surveys backed by decades of expertise.
- Accurate, Reliable Data: Our state-of-the-art technology ensures precise measurements that you can trust.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: By identifying issues early, we help you avoid costly repairs and downtime.
- Sustainability: We focus on eco-friendly practices, reducing water waste and minimising the environmental impact of our work.
- Nationwide Coverage: With depots across the UK, we can deliver our services efficiently, wherever your project is located.
- Customised Approach: Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of your project, ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Contact Pipe Testing
Services Today
Gain crucial insights into your pipeline network’s performance with accurate and reliable flow surveys from PTS. Optimise efficiency, ensure compliance, and proactively manage your assets.
Contact our experienced team today to discuss your flow monitoring requirements or to schedule a survey:
- Phone: 01922 451646
- Email: enquiries@pipetestingservices.co.uk
- Address: Unit 27 Birchbrook Industrial Estate, Shenstone, Lichfield, Staffs, WS14 0DJ
We provide tailored flow survey solutions across the UK.
Flow Surveys & Monitoring - FAQs
What specific data does a PTS flow survey provide?
Our surveys typically measure flow rate (e.g., litres per second), flow velocity (metres per second), and flow depth (level within the pipe). This data is recorded over time to analyse patterns and calculate total volumes.
How do flow surveys help find leaks?
Flow surveys are key for indicating potential leakage zones, especially in water distribution networks. By analysing minimum night flows (when legitimate usage should be lowest), unexpectedly high flows can suggest significant water loss within a monitored area, guiding targeted investigation with methods like acoustic leak detection or correlation.
What pipe sizes and types can PTS monitor?
We have equipment suitable for a wide range of pipe diameters, from smaller pipes (e.g., 150mm) up to large trunk mains and culverts (several metres), and for various materials. We select the appropriate sensor technology based on the application.
Are flow surveys disruptive to install?
Installation typically involves accessing existing manholes or chambers. While safe working procedures are always followed, the monitoring equipment itself (especially non-invasive sensors) usually causes minimal disruption to the pipeline’s operation. Confined space entry is often required.
How long does a typical flow survey last?
Survey duration varies greatly depending on objectives. Short-term surveys might last a few days or weeks (e.g., for rainfall analysis or specific diagnostics). Long-term monitoring for baseline data or leakage trends can last for months or even years.
Can PTS measure wastewater or trade effluent flow?
Yes, our equipment and expertise cover flow monitoring for sewers, effluent discharge pipes, and industrial process lines, helping ensure compliance with environmental regulations and discharge consents.
How is flow data used in hydraulic modelling?
Real-world flow survey data is essential for calibrating and validating hydraulic computer models of water or sewer networks. This ensures the model accurately reflects actual system performance, making it a reliable tool for planning upgrades or operational changes.