Suez Tests Drone Technology for Water Leak Detection in Rural France

Image source: D-Tection

Published on February 5, 2025

Water management company Suez conducted a test in Auxerre, using a drone equipped with a thermal camera to detect leaks in rural water pipelines. This marks the first such experiment in France, aiming to improve the efficiency of water network monitoring in remote areas.

Traditional leak detection methods rely on acoustic devices and manual inspections, which are less effective in rural settings due to the lack of service access points. The drone, operated by D-Tection, captures thermal images every two seconds, identifying temperature variations caused by leaks. With a flight autonomy of 30 minutes, the drone can survey long distances quickly, covering 3.5 kilometers in just 20 minutes.

The test focused on a large water distribution pipeline near a reservoir, where leaks are harder to detect due to high daily water flow. Suez aims to enhance the network’s efficiency, currently at 80%, by reducing water loss from leaks and other factors. This innovative approach could prevent major pipeline failures and improve rural water management.

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