With proactive maintenance of water infrastructure becoming more prominent in the industry, Melbourne is boosting its ability to assess its sewer pipelines with newly developed CCTV camera technology.
Melbourne Water will upgrade nine manhole covers – five in Werribee and Four in the south-east – to ensure that they are large enough for the new CCTV camera unit to be lowered in. The upgrades commenced in Werribee in June, and the last of the manholes is expected to be completed by November.
The technology will enable inspections of up to 4 km along trunk sewers ranging in diameter from 2 to 4.5 metres.
Melbourne Water General Manager Asset Management Services Tim Wood said that the new technology is important as the company removes and treats most of the sewage in Melbourne, meaning that ensuring the system is operating at optimal levels is vital.
“We are pleased to be embracing new technology which will provide advanced data on the condition of the sewer and the environment within it compared to just collecting visual images from conventional systems. This data will help us determine the best and most cost-effective way to look after it,” said Wood.
Once the project is completed – scheduled for later this year – the long range CCTV camera unit will operate in around 100 km of the sewer network.
“Maintaining a quality sewerage service protects public health and the environment. In Melbourne, a safe, clean and healthy environment is essential to our way of life,” said Wood.
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