--- title: Drone tech aids Seqwater’s water condition assessment description: Scheduling maintenance for assets can be an expensive exercise for utilities with large amounts of infrastructure, but one Queensland utility has applied drone technology to assist with reservoir cond --- [![Indigo by AWA logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Indigo_colour.png?height=24&name=Indigo_colour.png)](https://indigo.awa.asn.au/) [![Ozwater logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Ozwater.png?height=24&name=Ozwater.png)](https://www.ozwater.org/) [![Careers in Water logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png?height=24&name=Careers%20in%20Water_colour.png)](https://www.careersinwater.com.au/) [![NWW logo](https://www.awa.asn.au/hs-fs/hubfs/AWA-Website/Logos/NWW.png?height=24&name=NWW.png)](https://www.nationalwaterweek.org/) - [Join ![user icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-nav-user-icon.svg "user icon")](https://www.awa.asn.au/new-registration) - 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The Salmonella outbreak in Gideon, Missouri, is a good example of how important sanitary protection of reservoirs is. “Pigeon droppings on the reservoir roof were carried through a gap in the roof hatch frame. There were seven deaths and almost 600 people were affected.” Clement said utilising drone technology allows for wide-reaching and detailed inspection on reservoirs that are hard to access, which is necessary to ensure the assets are contaminant proof. “UAV drones provide an excellent tool to overcome access issues. In the past, inspections of vital parts of the reservoirs were time consuming and expensive as inspection teams used mobile cranes to conduct these inspections,” she said. “UAV drone inspections only take a fraction of time and effort compared with traditional methods. Depending on the size of the reservoir, a drone inspection can take less than one hour.” While the technology makes assessment quicker and easier, it also offers a dramatic saving on inspection costs. “During inspections, the asset condition is rated for the purpose of asset performance trending, defects categorisation and to aid in maintenance planning. Categories reach from one to five and condition associated defects have a determined rectification time frame,” Clement said. “This aids the maintenance planning and ensures a cost effective maintenance and renewals program.” According to Clement, while drone technology can’t replace all inspection requirements, it works to strengthen maintenance strategies, particularly in the case of emergency inspections following storms or other extreme weather events. “We are currently exploring the possibilities of extending the drone use after weather events. We have over 70 reservoirs; it’s just a lot easier to deploy a drone to check there is no damage. It’s a very effective process to deal with.” Register for [Ozwater’18](http://bit.ly/Ozwater18) to hear more about the latest utility applications of drone technology. *Do you have drone technology you would like to showcase to the water sector? Why not exhibit in the new [Drone Zone at Ozwater](https://www.ozwater.org/exhibition).* [ Innovation ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/innovation) [ Industry ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/industry) [ Seqwater ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/seqwater) [ Queensland ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/queensland) [ Utilities ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/tag/utilities) Share [![email icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-email.svg "email icon") ](mailto:?subject=Drone%20tech%20aids%20Seqwater’s%20water%20condition%20assessment&body=Check%20out%20https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/drone-tech-aids-seqwaters-water-condition-assessment) [![facebook-icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-facebook.svg "facebook icon") ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/drone-tech-aids-seqwaters-water-condition-assessment) [![LinkedIn icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-linkedin.svg "LinkedIn icon") ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/drone-tech-aids-seqwaters-water-condition-assessment) [![Twitter icon](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/icon-dark-sandstone-twitter.svg "Twitter icon") ](https://twitter.com/home?status=https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/drone-tech-aids-seqwaters-water-condition-assessment) ## RELATED NEWS ### [ SAMMI the robot sets sail to safeguard Seqwater’s water supply ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/sammi-the-robot-sets-sail-to-safeguard-seqwaters-water-supply) Water Source A self-driving, solar-powered vehicle is changing Seqwater’s approach to routine water quality monitoring and the types of… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/technology/innovation/sammi-the-robot-sets-sail-to-safeguard-seqwaters-water-supply) ### [ Seqwater spends millions to improve water quality and catchment health ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/seqwater-spends-millions-improving-water-catchment-health) Cecilia Harris More than $8 million has been invested by one Queensland utility in the past year to improve the health of drinking water… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/seqwater-spends-millions-improving-water-catchment-health) ### [ Let's get critical: A key asset management practice ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/lets-get-critical-a-different-approach-to-asset-management) Water Source With vast portfolios of assets to manage, and the need to keep costs low and meet required service levels, deciding where to invest… [ Read Full Paper ](https://www.awa.asn.au/resources/latest-news/business/assets-and-operations/lets-get-critical-a-different-approach-to-asset-management) Advertising --- ### Subscribe to our newsletters Sign up to get the latest news and insights from us Advertising --- ![white arrow pointing upwards](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/website-assets-2021/icons/awa-white-arrow-up.svg) Top [![Footer-logo-02](https://www.awa.asn.au/hubfs/Footer-logo-02.svg) ](https://www.awa.asn.au/) The **Australian Water Association** acknowledges the Traditional Custodians across Australia, where we live, work and play, for their deep connection to our precious waters and land. 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