Veolia Water increase safety and efficiency of their inspections with Elios

Veolia Water Enhances Safety and Efficiency in Sewer Inspections with Elios

Veolia Water has adopted Elios drones to significantly boost the efficiency of their sewer inspections while ensuring the safety of their workers. This innovative approach is transforming how they monitor and maintain critical infrastructure.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Savings

Users of Elios in sewer networks typically see a 40% reduction in inspection costs per meter, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale operations.

Speed

Elios drones can inspect without prior cleaning, cutting inspection time in half compared to traditional ITV methods. This leads to faster decision-making and quicker problem resolution.

Safety

Drones eliminate the need for personnel to enter hazardous environments, reducing exposure to toxic gases, biological risks, and physical dangers like falls or flooding.

Accessibility

The compact design of Elios allows access to hard-to-reach areas that were previously impossible to inspect. It also reduces the amount of equipment needed, improving mobility and response time.

Introduction

In 2023, Veolia Water upgraded its drone fleet by integrating the Elios 3, aiming to cut down on inspection costs, reduce time, and enhance worker safety. According to the team, the Elios 3 has become an essential part of their daily operations. They shared a testimonial video highlighting how the drones have improved their workflow and efficiency.

Customer Needs

As a leading player in water and wastewater treatment, Veolia Water manages extensive underground sewer systems that are vital for urban hygiene. However, maintaining these systems is challenging due to blockages, sediment buildup, cracks, and infiltration issues. These problems often require urgent action, which can lead to health and environmental risks.

Traditional inspection methods involve sending workers into confined spaces or using camera-equipped snakelines. Both approaches carry significant risks—like exposure to toxic gases and limited visibility. Moreover, preparing the sewers for inspection adds time and cost, making the process inefficient and potentially unsafe.

Solution

Veolia Water has been a pioneer in adopting Elios drones since 2016. By using these drones, they can safely and efficiently inspect pipelines, identify potential issues early, and improve maintenance planning. The Elios 3, in particular, enhances safety by eliminating the need for human entry into dangerous environments.

Julien Maj, a service manager at Veolia, shared his experience: “The original goal was to have a drone that’s easy to fly and can handle tough environments.” He added that Elios provides structured mapping, integrates with GIS systems, and enables real-time visualization of installations for clients. Most importantly, it makes inspections safer by removing the risk of human exposure to hazardous conditions.

According to Julien, the Elios 3 offers several improvements over its predecessor. It’s easier to operate, has extended range, and delivers higher-quality data through a 4K camera and LiDAR technology. These features allow for more detailed 3D models compatible with GIS systems. Additionally, the new model enables inspections of industrial assets such as aeration basins and storage tanks—something that wasn’t possible before.

Results

With Elios, Veolia Water has achieved a 40% cost reduction per linear meter and cut inspection time by nearly 50%. Florent Fardel, a team leader at Veolia, explains: “We can inspect without cleaning first, which speeds up the process and reduces resources needed.” The integrated software, Inspector, streamlines reporting and ensures compliance with EN 13508 standards, allowing for faster delivery of results to customers.

Conclusion

Elios drones are reshaping the future of sewer inspections, and Veolia Water is at the forefront of this transformation. The Elios 3 has become an indispensable tool in their daily operations, helping them tackle industry challenges more effectively. As one team member put it, "Elios 3 is now like a new team member we use every day." With ongoing innovation and real-world impact, this technology continues to drive progress in the field of infrastructure maintenance.

Learn more about Elios in sewer applications at sewer-drones.

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